Dear Dr. Romance:
What to say in this situation? Okay, so there's this girl in my art class that I really want to talk to and get to know! Problem is she sits at a different table than me and I just plain don't know what to say to her! I'm a senior and she's a sophomore! What should I say to her to show her I'm interested in her? I haven't talked to her yet so I need something to break the ice!
Dear Reader:
To break the ice, break something! Break a colored pencil or a crayon or something, and then go ask her if you can borrow hers. Or, just say something nice about her artwork. Caution: Don't say anything at all about her body -- women don't take that as a compliment. Aside from physical characteristics, what interests you most about her? Have you heard something she said that intrigues you? Go ask her about it! If you focus on what's interesting about her (other than her body) you'll have a lot to talk about. Ask her how she's handling the current class assignment, or ask her for some help with something. It's not so hard, if you just follow what's interesting. "Turn On Your Charm" [http://www.tinatessina.com/turn_on_your_charm.html] gives guidelines you can follow to succeed with her. The Unofficial Guide to Dating Again [http://j.mp/H0F6WY] will give you step-by-step instructions for flirting and starting conversations that will lead to a relationship.
Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D., "Dr. Romance," is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Long Beach, Calif. since 1978 and author of 13 books in 17 languages, including The Unofficial Guide to Dating Again and Lovestyles: How to Celebrate Your Differences. She publishes the Happiness Tips from Tina email newsletter, and the Dr. Romance Blog. She has written for and been interviewed in many national publications, and she has appeared on Oprah, Larry King Live and many other TV and radio shows.