When CitySeen heard that the Japanese had discovered the world's best pick-up line, our first thought, naturally, was to put it to the test.
According to news website ananova.com, a Japanese team of experts, including Takaaki Ishibashi, host of Japan's equivalent of Blind Date, has decided on this gem: 'This time next year, let's be laughing together.' According to the website, the pick-up line is supposed to work anywhere, but particularly well with office acquaintances.
So on a testosterone-teeming Friday evening, I went to Lan Kwai Fong armed with the winning phrase. Unfortunately, it generated more mystified stares and rolled eyeballs than hair-playing and lip-licking. One girl suggested that I speak in Cantonese instead; another wrinkled her brows and said, 'Umm ... OK. Bye'. When I asked a third girl what she would, in fact, be doing this time next year, she replied: 'I don't know. But I won't be here, that's for sure.' There were several who laughed encouragingly, but it was because they had already heard about the pick-up line rather than my smooth delivery.
I remained slightly mystified by the repeated failures, until it struck me: the phrase is the best pick-up line in the world, of course, only when it is said in Japanese.