I disagree... I've actually seen this opener used to great effect - in fact, just today, I saw someone open with that exact same line on the bus.
Him: "Excuse me"
Her: [Looks around, puzzled]
Him: "Excuse me - what's your name?"
Her: [Flirty, shy-ish voice now] "My name's Sarah"
Him: "Sarah? That's a beautiful name. Where you headed to, Sarah?"
Her: "I'm going to get some Thai food."
Him: "Some Thai food, huh? Mind if I join you for that?"
Her: "Uh... sure" [Smiling]
[Both walk off the bus together]
It was the simplest pick-up I had ever seen. It really made me think: Are we overcomplicating? Here we are, with people debating over whether to hi-5 or handshake, when to ask for the number, what a good opener is, when to use such and such routine...
And here, we have this guy, picking up a girl he had never seen before with the simplest "routine" I have ever heard of. In fact, it's not even a goddamn routine. It's pure, natural conversation in its most basic form.
Like it was said in an earlier post in this thread, it's all about how you carry yourself and your inner game. This guy did not flinch even once - in fact, he had to repeat "excuse me" about two or three times before she replied. He did not look away or give up the first time she didn't hear him. Throughout the entire conversation, he was smiling, keeping the tone light and playful.
It really shifted my perspective around. I too had been overcomplicating things, overanalyzing, wondering what to do, when to do it, how, and to whom. I was looking for all the right techniques. When this guy pops outta nowhere and approaches with one of the simplest and most straightforward conversations I have ever heard in my life.
I think we're overcomplicating.
Either that or we can stick to studying tons of theory, openers, negs, routines, and DHVs, 'cause that's the way to go.
To be honest I think I'll go with the simpler approach.
