Happy New Year

But the fourth-grader from Castle Rock, Colorado, has taken what started out as a US$3 ($4.50) handwritten pamphlet at his school fair and transformed it into a delightfully illustrated 46-page book entitled How To Talk To Girls.

He’s also charmed his way through American media - CNN, the New York Post and the Ellen DeGeneres show.

Of his book, he concedes: ‘I never expected people to buy it like a regular book in a bookstore.’ But his simple advice, refreshingly devoid of any agenda of political correctness, has struck a chord with boys and girls of all ages.

He recommends cutting down on sugary foods and controlling your hyperness, combing your hair and ditching sweat clothes, and going easy on the compliments to avoid looking desperate.

He advocates the best opener is a simple ‘Hi’.

‘If I say ‘hi’, and you say ‘hi’ back, we’re off to a good start,’ he explains.

His mother credits his precocity to his voracious reading habits that have him reading books even at the dinner table, much to her consternation.

His school officials say he wrote the book for kids but believe anyone can find inspiration in it.

Some think that men who are good with women are just born that way.

But here’s a secret. They were not born with an inherent understanding of social dynamics.

At some point early in their lives, they made a decision to learn about people, including pretty girls, and get good at interacting with them.

Social skills can and should be taught, learned, and practised. And it’s never too early or too late.

Learn more about dating expert

Dr Date at his website: www.powerofbeingasian.com

Last year, I went to a club to celebrate New Year’s Eve with my friends. But they were all couples, so when midnight came, they were all kissing, and I was all alone. It was one of the loneliest and longest moments I’ve ever had. I’m dreading New Year’s Eve now. What should I do? Sincerely, Single Sarah

Dear Sarah,

New Year’s Eve. How did the last day of the year become as couple-centric as Valentine’s Day? It’s even become a cliche to cap the festivities with a mandatory kiss as the grand finale. No wonder the unattached are so horrified by these hallmark holidays.

So what to do?

1.Be a holiday hermit.

After over a decade of wild New Year’s Eve parties, this option is starting to look really good to me right now. Who wants the hassle of jostling with the drunken crowds, being gouged by the exorbitant nightclub entrance fees and bottle charges, squeezing into the overcrowded public train, or fighting with the sweaty masses to get a coveted cab? Well, okay, some don’t mind. But still.

It’d be nice to have a more civilised, pampered, reflective experience once in a while. Why not slip into your most comfortable pair of pajamas, pop open a bottle (or two) of champagne, cuddle a plate of your favourite hors d’oeuvres, and party with revellers on three different continents on TV?

2.Take a bathroom break

Party with your friends as originally planned, but this time, at 11.57pm, go for a bathroom break and skip the whole countdown altogether. Maybe you’ll meet a fellow single in the bathroom queue trying the same strategy and can console each other. I’m half-joking, by the way.

3.Be social and find your own date

Even better, keep a lookout for a romantic prospect in the hours leading up to the countdown. Be social and have a good time. To ascertain whether your prospect is single, ask a simple question. If the prospect is with a group, ask them, ‘So how do you all know each other?’ and if the prospect is alone, ask, ‘So who did you come with?’ Trust me. If they are single, they will want your company as much as you want theirs. At least 15 minutes before midnight, make sure you’re having fun and chatting with your prospect. Then, when the countdown comes, it’s natural to kiss. Don’t worry what others think. It’s New Year’s Eve. It doesn’t count. And now you have a new friend!

Happy New Year!