Nudge What the World’s ‘Best Chat-Up Line’ Reveals About Human Psychology
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Apr 13, 2026 
Professor Richard Wiseman, a psychologist who studies luck, persuasion and everyday quirks, shares surprising findings from experiments. He explains how small rewards can backfire. He reveals why pratfalls make people more likeable. He describes a photo that helps wallets come back and the top chat-up line plus playful alternatives to small talk.
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Avoid Large Payments That Kill Intrinsic Motivation
- Do avoid paying people large sums to perform tasks you want enjoyed long-term.
- In Wiseman's litter study, participants paid £10 enjoyed picking up litter far less than those paid £2, showing rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation.
Human Flaws Increase Likeability
- Imperfect performers can be more likeable than flawless ones because mistakes signal humanity and relatability.
- In Wiseman's shopping-centre demo, the clumsy demonstrator scored higher likability despite lower perceived competence.
Pratfall Demonstration That Won Customer Help
- Jack posed as an inept shop assistant and deliberately dropped milk to elicit help from customers.
- The customer cleaned up and later rated him nine out of ten for helpfulness and friendliness despite doing the work herself.
