Remember those romantic comedic movies when the boy goes up to the girl and shuffles his feet and politely asks his love interest for those magical numbers that will gain access to speaking with her? Yeah, I don’t either… I do remember that video from MAD TV, where Yvonne was being asked, “Can I get yo numbah? Can I get it?” desperately in the middle of a movie theatre. But there is no way that actually happens, right? These guys and girls beg to differ.
Some girls do not realize that getting someone’s phone number is not the easiest thing in the world to do for some boys and girls. It takes courage to go up to a complete stranger and ask for such personal information, but it does get done.
New York University senior, David,* admits to having asked a girl for her number and using the environment’s mood to inspire him. He was one of the main DJs at a party when Jimmy Eat World came on. Turns out the mystery DJ was a girl! He immediately made up the excuse of wanting to collaborate with her on a playlist, and proceeded to ask for her number. She gave it to him.
Sometimes, though, no need to ask. A girl is willing to give her phone number without even being asked. We do live in a progressive time and these young ladies are prime examples.
Junior, Riley, was studying abroad in Buenos Aires last semester when she decided that talking would just get in the way of getting an Argentine’s number. Instead, she wrote hers on the receipt and left the restaurant without a Spanish word. He texted her that very night and they went on a couple of dates before she had to head back to the States.
This gutsy move is trending across the country. Recent graduate of well-known culinary institution, Le Cordon Bleu, Jennifer, admits to writing down her number on a receipt as well. But the artistic side of her likes to add a cartoon to remind the guy of the laughs they shared. To this day, she has had much success.
But in this day of age, phone numbers are as ancient as beepers (Do people even own those besides doctors and nurses?). Nowadays, it may be all about getting your Twitter Handle, your Facebook page, your Instagram.
NYU first-semester senior, Jackie, was surprised when one late night on the 1 train, a sweet-looking guy didn’t ask her for her number but her Instagram Handle. When she admitted she did not have one, the guy proceeded to ask for Twitter information. She did not have that either. What about Facebook? She said no; and finally, her phone number. It really should not come as a surprise, since with all these social media platforms, there are far too many creative ways to get to know someone. Most people admit to getting friend requests on Facebook from people they do not even know, but the Requester found their profile through a mutual friend. Friending someone over Facebook is less nerve-wracking than face-to-face requests for numbers.
But why must every little move be analyzed? Sometimes a person does not want your number. Sometimes, they just need help from you for a split second. For example, Tisch School of the Arts Junior, Jake, confesses, “A girl once thought that I tried to get her number by asking her to call my phone because I lost it. I already had her number and my phone was actually lost. I asked her over Facebook.” We cannot blame her. That cheesy pick-up line, “I’ve lost my phone number, can I get yours?” can make anyone a tad bit paranoid. Throw Facebook into the mix, and we have a recipe for confusion.
But to each his or her own. These are some case, and do not mean to speak for the rest of phone-number-asking mortals.
So tell us in the comments: what’s the craziest thing that someone done to get your number? Or even better yet, what have you done to get someone’s number?
*Names have been changed throughout article. Hey! Asking for a phone number is embarrassing.