This is more an observation than a field report, but it's cringeworthy I have to share it.

So I was at an 24hr McD at late night studying for my own certification exams. Sitting at the next table was a girl studying university level physics. She was beautiful (not the hot type). I also spotted a ring on her ring finger, so I initially guessed she is probably married.

A while later she went outside for a smoke, and I decided it was the best time to approach. I went out and asked her for a light, she was friendly about it. I asked her if she was studying physics, and we started chatting. She talked about her university life, and when I mentioned I was graduated from Engineering she looked like she was admiring me. I was quite happy because I found a girl who was into engineering guys. Then she mentioned something about her kid, (She was married?) and I decided to treat her as a friend instead of a pickup target. After the smoke we exchanged names and went back to our studies, we barely spoke because our exams are important.

Then there were 2 guys coming in. One of them (I call him R) bumped her chair and he apologized. Then he tried to pick her up by continuously asking her what was her name, what was she studying, etc. He was wearing a jacket from an engineering school so I guess he was an engineering graduate as well. She said he smelled drunk and she was too busy to chat. Then he asked her where she was from and she mentioned an Eastern European country (X). He replied his friend was from X too so she should say hi to him. R's friend said Hi and kept eating his food.

When R finished eating he started talking to the girl again. She became annoyed and kept telling him to leave her alone, refusing to tell him her name and anything else. He repeatedly asked her "Why are you so cold to me?" "Can we have coffee someday?" with a smile on his face. And she started to look mad. At this point it was so cringeworthy both I and R's friend shook head and tried to put this to a stop. I asked R if I could speak to him alone, I was going to tell him this is not the way to pickup girls and get him to read this sub. But he thought I was cock-blocking him and rejected it. "Okay," I thought, "you brought this to yourself. Too bad I don't have popcorn in hand."

The girl saw the chance and asked if I want another smoke. I agreed and brought my lighter (Yes I had my lighter, so I didn't need to ask her for light in the beginning) Those 2 guys decided to follow us and started smoking too. Of course R just kept asking her the same thing over and over again. She said she has a boyfriend and R has no chance. Then R pointed at me and asked "Is he your boyfriend?" She said no, (but I wonder how comical it would be if she said yes.) I tried to pull him away again, but he stilled refused. His friend had enough and finally grabbed him away from the 2 of us.

Both of us went back inside and chatted a bit. She thanked me for trying to take him away. She thought I white-knighted because I didn't tell her my intention of helping him instead of her. (Engineer bros before hoes right?) She told me she has a kitten, not a kid, (She is not married, but she does have a boyfriend) and wondered why I asked some strange questions. We had a few good laughs, exchanged numbers and went home.

(When we went back inside after the second smoke, other patrons said "Good riddance" "What the hell is he thinking?!" I guess everyone there was glad it was over)

What I learned from this: When a girl is studying or doing her own stuff, do not approach. Wait until she takes a break.

tl;dr Two dudes with similar background tried to pick up the same girl. One failed miserably because the timing was wrong.

EDIT: Proofreading