I saw one of the top posts of all time describes the perfect pickup line as "Are you as interesting as you look?". This line really bothers me, because it is confusing, too short, contrived, and looking "interesting" won't always be construed as a compliment. I don't know about you, but when it comes to pickup, I am lactose intolerant: I don't do cheese. So here is a line I alluded to in a post from an account I deleted, which I will go into depth on. It is a pickup line formed from my own experience, as well as research I've done on pickup:

"Hey, I know we just met, but if I didn't ask you now, I'd be regretting it for the rest of the day. I am going to meet a friend right now, but I do think you are incredibly cute. I would love to grab coffee or tea with you sometime and have a real conversation. What is your number, and we can coordinate something."

This is choppy on purpose. It should take a very long time to say all of this. About 20 to 30 seconds. Take as many pauses as you can. Slow down what you say and be deliberate with every word.

Here is the analysis behind each word and sentence:

"Hey, I know we just met..." -Tells her that you are grounded in reality. You are a man who needs more than good looks to be impressed, therefore you will not discount the fact that you hardly know her.

"...but if I didn't ask you now, I'd be regretting it for the rest of the day." -This better be true. You need to be a closer, so damn right you will be regretting not closing on an opportunity. -This gives some weight to your words. It shows that even though you just met, you will take this woman seriously. Hopefully, she will appreciate the sentiment.

"I am going to meet a friend right now..." -This places a time limit on the interaction. Bestselling pickup artist Neil Strauss has a good point when he says the two things a woman wants to know is 1) why is this guy talking to me, and 2) how long is he going to take. This part of the line takes care of part 2. -It also conveys to her that you do have a life and you do have friends.

"...but I think you are incredibly cute." -I've used the words beautiful, pretty, gorgeous, or just the word cute, but I've settled on "incredibly cute". I like it because it a fun phrase, it saying to her that she pushing the envelope of cute. Considering that you don't really know her, cute is the only appropriate word without coming on too strong. Adding the word "incredibly" shows that just cute doesn't cut it for you, you need "incredibly" cute.

"I would love to grab coffee or tea with you sometime and have a real conversation." -If you are in a country where the drinking age is 18 and the culture is lax around alcohol, use "I would love to go out for drinks sometime." Either way, telling her this prepares you for your upcoming texting thread with her. From the beginning, she knows what to expect with regard to seeing you again. There's a difference between mystery and uncertainty, and this is taking out uncertainty.

"What is your number, and we can coordinate something." -Asking for her number is a statement, not a question. When you say a statement, you keep a low, steady, and monotone voice. Asking a question, especially when you're nervous, risks you saying the line in a higher pitched voice. -People are more willing to do what you want if you give them a reason, no matter how contrived that reason is. They've done experiments to prove this. Pickup artist Adam Lyons describes how one experiment tested if people were willing to allow someone to cut in line at a copy machine. If the person said "Can I go ahead of you?" people were less inclined to allow it. But if the person said "Can I go ahead of you because I need to make a copy?" quite a few people let the person cut the line. If you give a reason for why you want something, people will be more comfortable in obliging you.

Note: this pickup line is a template on how to ask for a number. Avoid making it a crutch and something you repeat word for word, instead of adapting to the situation. I think pickup artists get too caught up in finding the right answer, instead of simply enjoying the conversation and seeing where things lead. Here I've given you the lines in order to feel more comfortable, but ultimately, you should be doing pickup not to get numbers, but to improve your conversation skills, learn about the world through the experiences of others, and be more comfortable with human interaction.