Dating expert: Look for love in library aisle

David Wygant says he has been on first dates with half of Los Angeles, and he brought his dating know-how to Penn's campus yesterday.

Wygant came to the Penn Bookstore to promote his new book on dating, Always Talk to Strangers: 3 Simple Steps to Finding the Love of Your Life.

According to Wygant, "Flirting with people over silly things" in daily life is essential for meeting new people and could be a first step toward a date.

Six people from the local community listened to Wygant attentively, while a couple students also lingered for parts of his talk.

Wygant gave dating advice for Penn students to consider.

n Confidence is key to successfully finding a date.

"It's called putting yourself out there and not caring about the outcome," Wygant said.

n Studying time can serve as an opportunity to meet a date.

"Do not do homework in your dorm room," Wygant said. "The distraction in [an Internet] cafe is other people who want a distraction."

n The library is an ideal place to "aisle search" for potential dates.

"Don't run to your regular spot in the library and ignore people," Wygant said. "You find someone you are attracted to and you sit down next to them or sit at the same table" and start up a conversation.

n The Quadrangle and other dormitories can serve as "passing grounds" in the winter.

"You see someone that you are attracted to, say 'Hey, how are you?'" Wygant said. "The next time you see them, say 'It's you again, I saw you last week.' Have a conversation and talk, have some fun with it."

n The time before a class begins can serve as a key opportunity to get to know a potential date.

"The minute they sit down, go sit down next to them and just say 'Oh, you ready for the lecture today?'" Wygant said. "Make an opportunity."

n If at a loss for conversation topics, "you ought to engage them in a conversation about themselves. People love talking about themselves."

If -- despite your best efforts -- you get rejected, Wygant said not to dwell on the setback.

"If they don't think you are cute and adorable like your mom does, so what?" he said. "Someone will."

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