Suppose you are sitting at a computer lab at your school's library, the city library, etc... So, you sit down and work, and there is this attractive girl sits next to you and is also working on a computer. You want to start a conversation with her, but you are not quite sure how to "break the ice" and "pick her up."

Here is one, simple and very effective "library pick-up" - a way to start a conversation in this situation, that one of my students used successfully about two weeks ago. Here is a transcript of their entire conversation ( I was sitting next to my student on the other side and typing what they were saying to each other as they were talking):

He (after sitting down for a few minutes and typing next to this cute girl): Excuse me?
She: Yes?
He: I hope you are not watching porn over there... because... I find it very offensive. (with semi serious, semi sarcastic tone of voice).
She: (chuckling) I wish it was nearly that exciting...
He: well, what is it then? (glancing over to her screen)
She: Oh, it's just this stupid paper I have to submit by tomorrow.
He: Aren't you a procrastinator! (smirk) Can I read?
She: No... no, it's too embarrassing.
He: Oh, come on. Now you got me all curious...
She: It's very personal and I would rather not share it with strangers
He: I don't see any strangers around her... (smiling).
She: what are you then?
He: Good question, my name is Kenny. What's your name?
She: Gabbie
He: nice to meet you, Gabbie. Hey, speaking of being strangers.... I gotta run, but... perhaps we could talk sometime and ... not be such strangers anymore????
She: sure... do you have a messenger?
He: (chuckling) Do I look like a guy who uses a messenger?
She: What do you mean?
He: What I mean is that I like your voice and I would much rather hear your voice rather than use IM.
She: I see.
He: How can I reach you by phone in the evenings?
She: Let me write down my number for you.
He: Cool. Nice meeting you. I will talk to you soon.

So, as you see, the ice-breaker in this case is "I hope you are not watching porn, because I find it very offensive." As with any other ice-breaker, the delivery is crucial. If you come across as too stiff and serious, you are going to scare her and make her think that you really mean what you say. If it's too obvious that you are joking, then it's not going to be effective either.

Granted, this ice-breaker won't work every time. The girl might not get the joke, or she might be very busy and stressed out by what she is doing on the computer and not in the mood to talk to anyone. But in the absence of those and similar circumstances and if the girl is cool, this simple, sarcastic comment can open a great, funny and flirtatious conversation that can go into all kinds of interesting directions.