Being a woman who was single once, I have seen some cringe-worthy pickup attempts. Here are some tips to approach women or at least leave with your dignity intact. First, don't take rejection personally. Some women just want go out with their friends. They have no intention of meeting you or anyone else. Some will reject you in the worst possible way just for the fun of it. Just remember that person is the one with issues, not you.

Next, don't brag. You bring yourself down when you try to explain why they should be with you. Do you think James Bond ever brags about himself? Just introduce yourself and make small talk. Ask if she's ever been here before, if she likes the song that's playing, if she is in school, or where she works.

There are some questions that you should not ask unless you're sure that she wants you to ask them. She may think you have ulterior motives or that you're just being nosy:

Do you come here ALL the time?

Can I drive you home?

Are you here with friends?

Are you religious?

Next, know how to compliment a woman. It's great to tell a woman that she's pretty, she has beautiful eyes, she's a great dancer, she's really smart, or she's fun to talk to. But, don't compliment her body. It's too aggressive.

If you've been having a nice conversation, don't ruin it by asking, "Can I have your number?" Instead, first ask if she's up for dinner or lunch next week. If you've been talking about art, ask her to go to the museum. If she's a sports fan, maybe she'd like to go to a game with you.

"Just be yourself." This is an old line, but it's so true. Mad T.V. has a hilarious skit with Bobby Lee trying to pick up a girl using all kinds of slang and hand gestures. He's trying to show that he's cool, but he just looks silly.

Also, remember that appearance counts. Make sure that you are neat and clean, but don't take a bath in cologne. Better yet, don't use cologne because you may put on to much without realizing it. Is your hairstyle outdated? Are your clothes out of style? Ask a female friend or relative to give you an opinion. She may even agree to shop with you. Be stylish in a subtle day. Don't go overboard with something too trendy that you don't feel comfortable. Are you out of shape? Don't wait until you get in shape to ask someone out. But, make a commitment to lose the extra pounds. In addition to protecting your health, you may have better luck meeting women. There you have two good incentives. Good luck!