Having sweated over the origins of the universe and split the atom, academics have finally tackled the question that has perplexed mankind since the dawn of time:
what are the best chat-up lines? A
study from psychologists at the University of Edinburgh tested 205 people for reactions to 40 vignettes of a woman approached by a man using "verbal signals of genetic quality" in different
categories, and found the best rated approaches to be those revealing character qualities, wealth and culture, although the puzzling winning line proved a flop in real life tests. Unsurprisingly, a direct request for sex received a low score. Previous findings by the Japanese proved
equally dubious. But there's still hope, as the code seems to have been cracked
in Dublin, where since last year "there is definitely more pulling". The secret? A smoking ban, a lot of crowded pubs, and
"smirting", an unexpected side effect of the health measure.
posted by funambulist
on Nov 6, 2005 -
103 comments
Did you miss Paddy Dignam's wake? Ah well, there's still time to celebrate
Bloomsday -- if you're in Dublin, you can (among many other delights) take a stroll across the newly-opened
James Joyce Bridge. Or, if you have a spare $60,000, you could even buy your very own
Ulysses first edition. As for me, I'll be hoisting a crystal cup full of the foaming ebon ale which the noble twin brothers Bungiveagh and Bungardilaun brew ever in their divine alevats, cunning as the sons of deathless Leda. (And as for Paddy? -- Dead!
says Alf. He's no more dead than you are. -- Maybe so, says Joe. They took the liberty of burying him this morning anyhow.)
posted by scody
on Jun 16, 2003 -
34 comments
