Teasing and banter

Question 1

Teasing through exaggeration

Answer 1

1. “So you’re the one with the family spreadsheet and the passive-aggressive group chat reminders”
2. “Ah, so what you’re saying is, you’re the family’s benevolent dictator. Noted.”
3. “You’ve got the calm exterior of someone who secretly judges other people’s coffee orders.”
4. “You’re definitely the person who takes control of the pub quiz team and says, ‘Let’s not overthink this’, while very clearly overthinking it.”
5. Her: “I’m more of a red wine than a white wine person.” You: “Ah, classic brooding intellectual energy. I should’ve guessed.”

(These are good early on)

Question 2

Specific and tailored observations

Answer 2

1. “You give off the energy of someone who has very strong opinions about font choices.”
2. “You strike me as someone who has a very well-organised spice rack.”
3. “You look like the type who alphabetises their books but swears they’re laid back.”
4. “You give off ‘has a deeply personal ranking system for supermarkets’ energy.”
5. “You seem like the type who’s secretly competitive at board games, but tries to hide it behind faux indifference.”

Question 3

Self-deprecating comments

Answer 3

1. “This is me trying to be mysterious. How do you think I did? I’d give it a solid 4/10.”
2. “I was trying to play it cool, but now I’ve said something weird about spreadsheets, so here we are.”
3. “That was me trying to be suave, in case you were wondering. Mixed results, as usual.”
4. “I think I just accidentally flirted with you. I’ll let you know how it’s going when I catch up with myself emotionally.”

Question 4

Hypothetical situations

Answer 4

1. “You’d be the one person in the heist crew who actually reads the full plan, wouldn’t you?”
2. “I reckon you’d be a high-functioning member of a cult. Like, you’d rise to number three, then escape and write a memoir.”
3. “We’d be terrible burglars. You’d be casing the joint properly while I get distracted by a golden retriever.”

Question 5

The Soft Challenge

Answer 5

1. “I’m not sure I believe you, but I’m too polite to call you out. Yet.”
2. “You’ve said that with suspicious conviction. I’m going to need a case study.”
3. “That’s a bold claim. I hope you’ve brought sources.”
4. “Big claim for someone I’ve only known for ten minutes.”

Question 6

The In-Joke Builder

Answer 6

1. (If she orders something fancy) “Ah yes. Classic Somerset Rosé Girl behaviour. There’s a whole case study on it at the LSE.”
2. (If she once mentioned watching Bake Off) “I’m just saying, if this date doesn’t work out, it’s probably Paul Hollywood’s fault.”

Question 7

The Earnest Undercut

Answer 7

1. “I was going to say something earnest and then remembered I’m British.”
2. “Don’t worry, I’m incredibly emotionally available. I’ve had at least three thoughts about vulnerability this week.”

Question 8

Observational compliments about style/clothing

Answer 8

1. “I see we both went for our ‘effortlessly cool but actually thought about it for 15 minutes’ outfits.”
2. “Nice shoes. Either you’ve got great taste or you know someone who does.”
3. “I love the outfit! You look like you just walked out of a magazine. (Although I suppose it does depend on the magazine.)”

Question 9

Playful compliments about personality

Answer 9

1. “You strike me as someone who wins debates by pretending they’re not arguing.”
2. “You feel like someone who doesn’t suffer fools. I’m trying not to take that personally.”

Question 10

Genuine compliments about personality

Answer 10

1. “I was fully expecting someone 5 minutes late and a little frazzled. You’re ruining my assumptions.”
2. “If you get any more interesting, I’ll have to start taking notes.”
3. “I had this down as a polite drink. But you’ve derailed the plan entirely haven’t you?