Chat-up lines are being given the elbow as more people turn to apps and websites to find love.
Among 18 to 24-year-olds, only one in five have ever chatted anyone up “IRL” – in real life – a survey found.
That compares to more than 90% of over-50s who have tried out their best lines face-to-face.
Among those making the effort, the supermarket has become as likely a spot as the traditional bar or club.
But across all ages, three-quarters have had at least one knock back when trying a chat-up.
And a valiant one in 20 say they have notched up at least 10 rejections. That may be no surprise, with a poll finding the cheesiest chat-up line is: “There’s something wrong with my phone… it doesn’t have your number in it.”
That was followed by: “Do you believe in love at first sight – or shall I walk by again?”
Jessica Leoni, relationship guru for dating site Illicit Encounters, which ran the survey, said: “Times have changed. It’s more shocking now to hear about someone having met their partner in a bar.
“The art of initiating conversations is undeniably fading away. It’s less embarrassing chatting a person up online, you can’t see their reaction.”
