The cheesiest pick-up lines of all time

Devastatingly beautiful dates, sumptuous excursions and scintillating conversations are all benefits of the single life but contrary to popular belief, there is a downside to being relationship-free: the torture of being subjected to stale, decades-old come-ons is penance for all that fun. In a survey taken across a range of age groups, geographical borders and lifestyles, we have compiled the top 10 worst pick-up lines that have sullied the ears of singles everywhere:

1. “What’s your sign?”
The epitome of cheese, this line — which has been around at least since the Beatles came to America, though some researchers say it could be almost 2,000 years old — ranks as the very worst line in dating history. The fact that it’s still in use says a lot about the decay of our society’s standards and the glaring desperation of some singles.

2. “Pardon me, I seem to have lost my phone number, can I borrow yours?”
Maybe this was funny around 1910 or 1915 — back when the telephone was a novel appliance. It does not inspire smiles now, only scared and doomed looks.

3. “You must be a broom because you’re sweeping me off my feet.”
Maybe your dad used this one on your mom and for nostalgia’s sake, you’re bringing it out again. Nostalgia does not get you dates, though, only pity. “I actually had a guy say this to me during happy hour,” says Kim, a vivacious flight attendant who hears more than her share of clichéd pick-up lines. “I didn’t hold it against him because I don’t know how much he’d had to drink and he was cute. But if he hadn’t been cute, I would have dodged him.”

4. “Do you have a license? Because you’re driving me crazy.”
Caution! Watching too many stupid teen movies impairs your judgment. This probably sounded clever to the person who swiped it from a 1960s beach-party flick. 

5. “I gotta thirst, and baby, you look like my Gatorade.”
Generally, comparing potential dates to food or drinks is not a winning move. “I had a guy use this one on me and I rolled my eyes and walked way,” says Susan, a marketing representative who doesn’t usually go for lines. “But a couple of weeks later, I saw this hot guy at the gym and I used that same line... and it worked! I guess there are gender preferences when it comes to lines. He was really flattered, where I was insulted when it was used on me.” And Susan's right; research published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences has borne out that women approaching men directly using any opening line are more likely to get a positive response than using nonverbal flirting cues alone.

6. “Are you lost? Because heaven’s a long way from here.”
Maybe angels like this one, but real women don’t.

7. “Are you religious? Because you’re the answer to all my prayers.”
Prayer is something that anyone who uses this tacky line desperately needs.

8. “Can I take your picture? I want Santa to know exactly what I want for Christmas this year.”
This line is popular with both men and women who think references to Santa are cute and charming, which are qualities that they never possess personally. After all, what if the person in question happens to be Jewish?

9. “Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?”
“A stunning woman I had been staring at used this on me,” says Mark, a tawny-haired, gregarious copywriter. “I know it’s an old one but it took guts to say it. I’m afraid I happily fell for it.”

10. “Well, here I am. What are your other two wishes?”
A personal favorite, this one takes a certain amount of arrogance — as well as delusion — to pull off. Who wouldn’t wish for a more honest come-on?

Ultimate guide to guys' shoes

You Can Judge a Man by His Shoes



They reveal whether he takes pride in the little things. If he throws on a nice suit and pairs it with cheap, clunky lace-ups, he's not what you'd call a detail man. And if he leaves his pricey wingtips scuffed and unpolished, he may not be the closer you're looking for.

(Photo: CN Digital Studio)

There are numerous styles of shoes out there, but what's great about being a man is that you can do perfectly well by sticking with just a few. You don't need to maintain some Carrie Bradshaw–esque obsession about the latest and coolest. If you invest in a handful of sensible (and stylish) pairs and take care of them, you'll be set for years. You just need to take that first step.

1. Don't Be So Damn Square


Before we start talking about styles of shoes, let's talk shape. If you're still walking around in square-toe, rubber-soled lace-ups—the kind you buy on the cheap and that make you look like you've got platypus feet—grab them from your closet and toss them.

Seriously. your shoes should be as streamlined as the rest of your wardrobe. That means a slim contour (but not painfully skinny) and a rounded (but not sharp) toe. They'll look stylish, tasteful, and masculine. And that's all you can ask for.

2. Some Basic Advice About the...Basics(Photo: Courtesy of colehaan.com)

The one shoe every man should own is a black lace-up. You can dress it up or dress it down; it'll work with everything from jeansto suits. And that's the thing—don't think of it as special-occasion footwear. Avoid frilly or ornate details and you'll be able to wear the shoes as easily to the office as to the club.


3. Sure, No One Sees the Bottom of Your Feet...(Photo: David Rinella)

Shoes take a pounding. And nowhere more than in their soles. You need to think about that and make some decisions. Do you want everlasting soles or more bounce in your step?

4. Leather Soles? We Like 'Em Extra Chunky

Some guys think leather soles mean hard and uncomfortable. Not true. If the shoes are well-made, they'll mold to your feet and serve you just fine. True, they won't be as cushiony as a pair ofNew Balances, but if you want real dress shoes, you want leather soles. Period. Now you've got two choices: There are those slim, contoured kinds that exude elegance and go great with a luxurious custom suit. And then there are the heftier lace-ups with chunkier soles. They're what we show a ton of in the magazine these days. They go great with skinny jeans or trim-cut suits. And if you take care of them (see number 7), they'll last you a lifetime.

5. Join the Rubber Revolution

Let's say you're insistent on extra padding for your lace-ups. The good news is that there are now plenty of stylish, wonderfully made dress shoes with full rubber soles, or at least rubber inlays. They're great for crappy weather and for comfort. But keep in mind that once full rubber soles wear down, that's it for them. Replacing the heels (or protecting them with taps) isn't a viable option as it is with leather-soled shoes.

6. Save Your Sole 
How to guarantee eternal life for your dress shoes

The most worn item in your wardrobe—that pair of quality leather-soled dress shoes you regularly wear to the office—requires the most attention. We asked Joe Rocco, third-generation cobbler and owner of Jim's Shoe Repair on East 59th Street in Manhattan, to talk parts and service.

Taps: Plastic is quieter, metal more durable. Either will prevent the soles (and heels—be sure you remember the heels) from grinding away. Taps typically wear out or fall off after about six months.$3 per pair.

Soles: Walking on warped soles can ruin a good pair of shoes and even cause back trouble. Start checking your soles after a year or so, and be sure new ones are sewn on, never glued. $75 per pair

Heels: New heels every couple of years are a good bet, and the right cobbler can adjust them to fit how you walk. $25 per pair

Heel Pads: Most shoes have shock-absorbing rubber rears to save your soles (and ankles). Have a cobbler replace them before they wear down to the leather soles themselves. $10 per pair

7. Polish One Off 
GQ design director Fred Woodward on how to do it yourself (better)

(Photo: Ditte Isager)There was a shoeshine man who used to make the rounds at 745 Fifth Avenue, the building where I worked my first year in New York. He was fond of saying that a true gentleman didn't feel properly dressed unless his shoes were freshly shined every morning. I always liked the sound of that—even if it did feel more than a little self-serving—but after he borrowed $50 from me (and countless other soft touches throughout the building), never to be seen again, I decided that shining my own shoes once a week was gentleman enough.

I love the ritual: the careful laying out of newspaper, and the round tin of Kiwi polish with the built-in wing-nut-shaped turn-key opener—a damned near perfect piece of industrial design. After enough applications, the old T-shirt that I use becomes a work of art in its own right, a poor man's Matisse. And my dad's horsehair brush (with the Good Housekeeping Seal branded into its hardwood handle) is the very same one he taught me with. First, I brush the shoe well, cleaning it of any dust or dirt. With the rag wrapped tightly around my first two fingers, I apply the polish in small, tight swirls. By the time I'm through applying wax to the second shoe, the first will be dry and ready to brush, and that's all I do.

8. Now Get Your Shine Box! 
What you'll need to care for your shoes(Photo: Courtesy of kiwicare.com)

A. One tin of black wax polish and one tin of neutral. The black for your black leather dress shoes (obviously). And the neutral for your brown—because you essentially want to moisturize the leather, not color it.

B. An old T-shirt or towel will do the trick for applying wax. But if you buff your shoes post-brushing, invest in a nice soft chamois.

C. Don't skimp on the brush—you want a wood handle and horsehair bristles. And for when you're running out the door and just don't have time for a full polish, keep an instant-wax sponge in your kit for a quick touch-up.

9. Kill a Tree, Save Your Shoes(Photo: courtesy of allenedmonds.com)

Yes, if you want your shoes to last, you need shoe trees. Ones made from cedar. They'll preserve the shape of your shoes, prevent them from developing deep creases, absorb moisture, and even make them smell better. They're a no-brainer.

10. Reboot Your Suit


Wearing boots with a suit achieves two things: It says you understand that uniforms look best when they're messed with, and that when it's raining or snowing, your Ferragamos should be left in the closet.

It needs to be the right suit—slim and stylish, and preferably cut from a durable, wintry fabric.

The boot itself? Leather-soled military-style ones are ideal. They're like dress shoes, only a hell of a lot tougher.

11. Lose the Laces, Gain Some Style(Photo: CN Digital Studio)

"The penny loafer's got a fusty reputation, but so many designers these days are doing it in this modern, streamlined shape; instead of making your feet look stubby,a loafer byBass or Prada will actually make them look longer. And a black penny loafer takes on the character of any outfit—when you're in a business suit, it's formal; when you're in a polo and jeans, it's casual. Consider it the perfect in-between when you don't feel like putting on a pair of sneakers or dressy lace-ups."—Jim Moore, GQ creative director

12. The Sneakers That Suit You

(Photo: Fairchild Archive)Pairing sneakers with a suit is a move we love and a smart way to reinvent a suit you already own. But you do need to tread carefully. Consider the following advice:

Unless you are Kanye West, stick with no-frills sneakers in muted colors—black, gray, white, etc. If worn correctly, they'll take off more years than Botox.

This isn't a conventional nine- to-five look. So go with a slim suit (cropped relatively short) or a loose-and-easy one. Just not your basic business suit.

Finally, low-tops, please. High-tops are for ballers and serious fashion junkies.

13. Sock It to 'Em

(Photo: Courtesy of jcrew.com)If you're sitting at your desk reading this, stop for a second and cross your right leg over your left. When your pant leg rides up, exposing some dress sock, ask yourself this: Do you like what you see? You should. Your socks should have as much personality as—if not more than—the rest of your outfit. You've got two ways to go.

Match 'Em Up—The Conservative Way...


When choosing dress socks, the basic rule is to consider the suit instead of the shoe—in other words, if you're wearing a navy suit with black or brown shoes, reach for navy socks.

...or Flash Some Color


You can tell a lot about a guy by glancing at his ankles. Is he a stick-to- the-rules type—the kind who dutifully matches his socks to his pants every morning? Or is he the type who understands that dressing well often means dressing with a rebel streak? We think you can pair a boldly patterned or colored dress sock with pretty much anything—a sharp suit, elegant pants, or, say, a pair of dark jeans. Just look for stripes or colors that complement your look up top (maybe matching your shirt or tie) while contrasting with your pants or shoes. And don't worry if you break a rule or two—that's the point.

Socks this bold work one of two ways: Either they pop against a completely neutral outfit (white shirt, dark suit and tie), or they complement what's going on upstairs. Could be a red tie, could be a yellow oxford.

14. The White Powder That Will Get You Hooked(Photo: Courtesy of goldbond.com)


"I used to think that keeping a bottle of talc around was like reaching for hair tonic or witch hazel—you know, old-guy stuff. But then this magazine—and pretty much every fashion designer and J.Crew mannequin—started telling us that we've got to go sockless in the summer months. Looks cool, feels cool. Except, that is, when your feet are a swampy, sweaty mess. So now, suddenly, I'm one of those guys who use talcum powder obsessively. I give my wingtips or boat shoes a dusting with it every morning before I head to the office. My feet slide right in, and they actually do feel cool. Of course, one dusting doesn't completely keep me from sweating on brutally hot and humid days; the stuff's not magic powder. That's why I keep a stopgap bottle in my desk drawer."—Adam Rapoport, GQ style editor

15. Show Some Ankle

Going sockless is a quick way to invigorate everything from a trim suit to short-cropped khakis. But there's a sensible way to pull it off. Do you really want to walk around all day not wearing socks with nice leather shoes? Thought so. Besides talcum powder, consider loafer socks—they're so low-cut they're essentially invisible. We like the ones from Bananarepublic.com. Buy a bunch and wear them all summer long.

16. The Cheat Sheet:


Your dress shoes should be as contoured as your suits. Say no to square toes.

Black lace-ups are the most dependable and versatile shoes you can own.

Real dress shoes have leather soles...but there are now plenty of quality rubber-soled options available.

Take care of your shoes: taps on the heels and toes, cedar shoe trees when you're not wearing them.

Yes, you can—and should—wear sneakers with a suit. But keep them simple and understated.

New drug to beat bedroom blues


CHENNAI: It's not always that the release of a drug is celebrated by many, particularly men. A drug that was released in India last week is the recent in the list of drugs that has a cure for erectile dysfunction. The manufacturers say udenafil, which will be marketed under the brand name Udezire, will be long-acting, but with minimal side effects.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an inability to achieve or sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. Sexologists say at least 10% men in India may have to use these drugs at some point. Studies have shown that 40% of men up to the age of 40 years have ED and it goes up 70% by 60 years.

The commonly prescribed drugs for the disorder in India are sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil, which belong to a category called phosphodiesterase type 5 drugs. Now, Zydus, a pharmaceutical company, has got exclusive permission to sell udenafil. The drug is manufactured by Korea-based Donga-A pharmTech Co. Ltd., and is being used in a dozen countries.

The last drug for the disorder was introduced nearly five years ago in the market. "Most of the existing drugs have side effects. While sildenafil puts pressure on the user to complete intercourse within four hours, tadalafil that lasts for nearly 17 hours causes back pain and headache in some users. Manufacturers say the effect of the new drug will last up to 12 hours, without much side effects," said sexologist Dr D Narayana Reddy.

Male sexual arousal is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Problems in any of these can cause erectile dysfunction. Stress and mental health problems can also cause erectile dysfunction. "In some people it could be a combination of physical and psychological issues," says Dr Reddy.

Manufacturers say they will market the drug through senior psychiatrists, andrologists, sexologists and diabetologists. In 80% of erectile dysfunction cases, physical factors such as drugs, blood flow abnormalities, nerve impulse abnormalities or hormonal abnormalities are the causes. Patients with high blood pressure and diabetes are also at risk of having erectile dysfunction. Physical causes of erectile dysfunction include heart disease, clogged blood vessels, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, alcoholism, smoking, Parkinson's disease and other medical condition. Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction include depression, anxiety, stress or relationship problems.

The new drug will be priced at 575 per tablet, a little lesser than Viagra. "We expect to have 20% of the market share in one year because our survey reveals there is a fatigue with old drugs," said Zydus Pharma senior vice-president O P Singh.

Six U.S. cars that get more than 30 MPG combined

If your workplace is anything like ours, it seems that while you're at work, most of the rest of the United States has taken the entire week off to celebrate Independence Day.

For our own celebration, and with a friendly nod to our defeated British colleagues, we thought it would be appropriate to highlight six different vehicles from U.S. carmakers that get more than 30 mpg in EPA combined fuel-economy tests.

The list includes two subcompacts, a compact crossover, a compact sedan, a mid-size sedan, and a luxury mid-size sedan. And only three are hybrids.

All of them are built in North America, if not necessarily the U.S.--we've noted the ones that are assembled in Mexico.

2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid: 39 mpg combined

The hybrid Ford Fusion mid-size sedan, launched in 2009 as a 2010 model, has always been a favorite of ours.

It's roomier than the Toyota Camry Hybrid was at the time, it got much better gas mileage, and the Fusion Hybrid has a much more elegant dashboard and information display.

This is the last year for the Fusion Hybrid you see here, as it's being replaced by an all-new global design for 2013.

That new 2013 Fusion will come with a variety of fuel-efficient powertrains, including a pair of EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engines, a hybrid version, and even a plug-in hybrid model to be called the Fusion Energi.

Meanwhile, there are still 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid models at local dealerships, and it's well worth test-driving one. Even if you've never before considered an American car.

If it makes a difference, the current Ford Fusion is actually assembled in Hermosillo, Mexico.

2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: 39 mpg combined

The hybrid Lincoln MKZ is a dolled-up, more luxurious version of the Fusion Hybrid, but it gets the same high 39-mpg combined rating--and rides even more quietly.

The MKZ too will be replaced next year with a new and swoopier design, but we're sure it will carry on with the hybrid version.

We liked the MKZ Hybrid more than we expected when we tested a 2011 model last summer, and there are no substantial changes for 2012.

The old-fashioned flat dashboard was straightforward, the styling was handsome enough, and it was a remarkably comfortable car in which to rack up the miles--and we still got 40.5 mpg over a 250-mile weekend test.

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is assembled in Mexico too, on the same line as the Fusion Hybrid.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco: 33 mpg combined

After years and years of substandard Cavaliers and Cobalts, Chevy hit a home run with its Cruze compact sedan, launched in 2010 as a 2011 model.

The compact Chevrolet mixed handsome, traditional styling with a wide variety of trim levels and options, a stylish twin-cockpit interior, and some of the quietest highway travel we've experienced in any compact car.

The Cruze, in short, put the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Ford Focus on notice that Chevy wanted to be a serious player again.

Best of all, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco model was rated by the EPA at 33 mpg combined, though the advertising tended to focus more on the 42-mpg highway rating.

The high fuel efficiency comes courtesy of a small but peppy turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, some Eco-specific aerodynamic tweaks and weight reduction, and--to get the highest ratings--a six-speed manual gearbox.

We're not sure how many Cruze Eco buyers actually shift their own gears (the automatic doesn't do quite as well on MPG), but we tested the Cruze Eco six-speed manual and got 34 mpg over our test cycle.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic: 33 mpg combined

Following up on the success of the 2011 Cruze, Chevrolet launched the 2012 Chevy Sonic subcompact--offered in both five-door hatchback and four-door sedan models.

The version that uses the Cruze Eco's turbocharged 1.4-liter engine is the Sonic with the highest combined gas-mileage rating, at 33 mpg.

And, frankly, having driven both that one and the base 1.8-liter model, we strongly recommend the smaller, peppier, higher-mileage engine. It's way more fun.

That was, frankly, the great thing about the 2012 Sonic: It's nicely styled outside, with enough attitude so it doesn't blend into the crowd of anonymous Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit models, it's got a neat if quirky dashboard, and it's surprisingly fun to drive the 1.4-liter model.

Best of all, it's the first Chevrolet subcompact to be built in the United States--a challenge that many industry observers said couldn't be overcome.

GM got a few contract concessions from its workers to bring the Sonic line into the States, but positive reviews should mean that the Sonic keeps them employed for years to come.

2012 Ford Fiesta: 33 mpg combined

The Ford Fiesta, now in its third model year, was the first car to emerge from the "One Ford" approach to building the same model globally and adapting it to local market tastes.

Introduced a few years earlier in Europe, the Fiesta subcompact is offered as both a hatchback and a somewhat stubby-looking sedan.

While the Fiesta SFE option boosts the highway fuel economy rating to the magic 40-mpg mark, several different Fiesta combinations are rated at 33 mpg combined.

We enjoyed driving the Fiesta, though we're not necessarily fans of the overwrought dashboard design, which from certain angles looks like a Darth Vader mask.

Still, as one of Ford's earliest models to offer the SYNC voice-command and digital device interface system, the Fiesta is modern and enjoyable.

Like the outgoing Fusion and Lincoln MKZ models, the Fiesta is assembled in Mexico.

2012 Ford Escape Hybrid: 32 mpg combined

The Ford Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid crossover utility vehicle, the first hybrid built in the United States, and one of the few to offer mechanical all-wheel drive along with its hybrid system.

The best gas-mileage ratings come from the front-wheel drive version, not surprisingly, but you'll see Escape Hybrids proving their durability both hauling kids to football practice and being used as New York City taxi cabs.

The current 2012 Escape Hybrid is the very last one; the all-new, redesigned global 2013 Escape will offer a pair of EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engines, but no hybrid model at all.

Ford's hybrids shift to two new models: the 2013 C-Max, a tall five-door hatchback that doesn't offer all-wheel drive, and the front-wheel drive version of the all-new 2013 Fusion sedan.

So if you're fond of the old, slab-sided, upright Escape Hybrid--despite what is now a very dated interior and fairly noisy ride--this is the time to buy one.