making the case for shooting your shot

A friend of mine once ran after a man in Barcelona to ask for his number. He was riding a bike, bedecked in a striped tee and had, you guessed it a baguette poking out of his backpack. It’s what quirky indie rom coms are made of. He was flattered and surprised when she eventually caught up with him. In between heaving breaths she’d sighed out “my friend wants your number!”. He handed it over and then she admitted that, well, she was the friend in question… which he found positively charming, of course. If the idea of doing this makes you break out into a small sweat, you’re not alone. Most people are not perfectly comfortable with asking out a stranger, especially considering we’ve all somewhat forgotten how to socially interact this year. In the vein of undertaking ImPoRtAnT market research and doing you all a big solid, I scoured my friendship group/ online community to get the best of the “shooting your shot” stories. Here’s a roundup of people asking out strangers and being goddamn icons. Icons only bitchez!! 

“I asked out a guy after a night out at a club. No pre-amble, no build up. Went straight up to him and said “I think you’re really hot, can I have your number?”. He was flattered, but said he had a girlfriend. I’d do it again though.”

Jemma (25) London

I ran after him, brandishing my little piece of paper. I shouted ”hey, hey! I have something for you”. I silently bestow my number into his half open hand.

“I was in a cafe having brunch with an old flatmate in Stockholm, our waiter was this gorgeous smiley guy, gold hoop in each ear, stylish and swag outfit. At first I thought he was just being friendly and doing his job, but everytime he walked past we’d lock eyes….When my friend went to the bathroom he jumped on the opportunity to come by, struck up a conversation about where I was from etc. Eventually, my friend and I got ready to leave. I slowly stood up, making sure he noticed and tried to clock his reaction. He looked over, pulled a sad face and shouted “are you leaving already?!”. This was the signal I needed. He went into the kitchen with a pile of plates and I ran after him, brandishing my little piece of paper. I shouted ”hey, hey! I have something for you”. I silently bestow my number into his half open hand. And then, (and I don’t know where this came from) I winked, said absolutely nothing and marched off like a femme fatale boss bish.”

Hana (23) Stockholm

“ I was in London doing an internship for the summer, hanging out at speakers corner and kept catching eyes with this girl. I eventually just thought, fuck it, went over and had a wee chat. Asked if she was up to anything later and would be up for going for a drink. She was up for it. I gave her my number, so she could text me if she wanted. I tend to do that, give a girl my number, because I’m not fussed if they don’t, but it means there’s no pressure to. We ended up meeting for some beers in Clapham Common a few days later. Next day I woke up in her insane house in Chelsea...”

Joe, 25 (Glasgow)

I tend to do that, give a girl my number, because I’m not fussed if they don’t, but it means there’s no pressure to.

“At uni I asked out my library crush by slipping him a note with my number on it! We went out for a couple months and I always think it’s worth a shot.”

Alice, 27 (Edinburgh)

So, my little awkward party people, just fecking go for it. You’ve got nothing to lose, literally. Your dignity? Sure! But dignity is sooo 2019. If you’re not quite brave enough to ask someone out like this, dating apps can be a pretty good alternative. And remember,  a really great date can reinstill your faith in humanity. A connection, pure and simple, even if it’s just for the night can give you a natural high that sends you spinning like a big kid that’s just inhaled a bag of percy pigs, and can be felt for weeks afterwards.... And in this weird world which we’re re-emerging into, meeting new people feels scary and unfamiliar and life affirming. You suddenly remember you have a personality, not just the one that’s been recycled for your friends/ family/ housemates in the four walls of your own home, but one that goes places and does things and can make new people laugh. Chemistry is like this magnet that pulls you into someone, gives you goosebumps when they brush past you, makes you hyper aware of their body in a delicious way and nothing makes you feel more alive than a first brush with someone you click with. 

So get outta here. Get off of your laptop and go and lick someone’s face in a coffee shop. Or find someone hot on The Sauce here.