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!

Most people are not so fortunate. And some of them simply never meet new love interests.

Years go by without a date. They spend New Year’s Eve alone or with friends, pizza delivery, or a DVD.

If this is you, realise that you might never meet your ideal partner naturally and that you must take immediate action even if you don’t feel like it.

Here is a great habit to have in your life: Carry out one social activity a week.

Just do it

Do this no matter what, even if you don’t want to.

The following are some suggestions, but I am sure you can think of more.

Attend a singles’ party. I know of several in town, including the Little Black Book Party at Mimolette on Thursdays.

Volunteer at a charitable organisation. Take up a new hobby that involves group activities, such as singing in a choir, forming your own band, or acting in a community production.

If you have the means, book a trip to Club Med, hire a dating coach or join a club.

You don’t have to be any good at these activities to start. You just have to stick them in your schedule, show up, be sociable and smile.

Maybe you are worried that you have to go alone. That is no excuse to sit at home. Many people I know had to drag themselves to a social activity alone, and those were the nights they met their current partner.

Sometimes, it is better to go alone because you can manage your own time and go with the social flow. Besides, as an adult, you must learn to accept that you cannot always cling to someone for support.

At the start, these social activities may not always be pleasant or comfortable. But many of the most worthwhile things in life are outside one’s comfort zone.

Even if you do not meet your ideal mate, just going out - whether it is to a museum, a sports event, or a party - is good for you. You meet new people, broaden your horizons, and practise your social skills.

Tell your friends that you’re going to take up at least one social activity this week. And stick with it!

Learn more about dating expert Dr Date at his website: www.powerofbeingasian.com.

Dear Laura,

WHEN your man is hard at work, it does not necessarily mean he is shutting you out. Many of the most successful men in the world are like this. They are either in one mode or another.

For example, a man could be having serious problems with his wife, but still enjoy a fishing trip with his friends. On the fishing trip, a friend could ask, ‘How are things at home?’ He may say, ‘Man, it sucks. Wow, look at the size of that fish!’

For some people, especially women, their intimate relationship touches every aspect of their lives no matter what they are doing.

A man who temporarily ‘forgets’ his relationship may not be avoiding his feelings. He just has a different way of approaching things. He exists in a world of problems, functions, and challenges. When he is focused on something, everything else disappears.

It is not fair for you to be neglected. So don’t disown your feelings. If you really feel it is best for him to be interrupted, then go ahead and do it.

But remember that you will probably encounter some initial resentment because his mind is stuck on something else. It just means he needs some time to switch his attention to you.

Your assignment was to come up with at least five non-physical traits that you are looking for in a romantic partner.

Now that you’ve got those five traits, it’s time to start letting people know that you have standards. The key is subtlety.

Let’s say you’re looking for a girl who is artistic. You can ask, ‘So what kind of art do you do?’

Notice the positive presumption. You assume that she’s into art and now you’re asking what kind she does. If she doesn’t do any art, she will still be flattered by your veiled compliment. And you will have communicated that you have standards in a subtle way.

Another great question along these lines is, ‘So, where do you like to travel?’ Again, notice the positive presumption. Not, ‘Do you?’ but rather, ‘Where?’

Now here comes the most important part. If she puts any effort into answering your question or into showing that she meets your standards, reward her with a compliment.

For example, if she tells you about her hobby of painting watercolours, you can say, ‘Wow, you really are artistic. I like that about you. So how did you learn to paint?’

Women will appreciate that you consider them as multi-dimensional rather than as eye candy. The most effective way to do this is to truly have high standards.

Think again about what non-physical qualities you’re looking for in a woman, and then actively go about looking for these characteristics in the people you talk to.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly you attract both people you are interested in and people who are interested in you. You might even learn some new things about your old acquaintances.

Learn more about dating expert Dr Date at his website: www.powerofbeingasian.com

My boyfriend and I are having problems. But whenever we talk about it and I tell him how I feel, he just keeps asking me what I want from him. And when I ask him how he feels, he just goes silent. How can I get him to open up about his emotions?

Yours, Frustrated Fiona
Dear Fiona,

Take heart in knowing that your boyfriend’s case is not unusual. He is probably a guy’s guy, into sports and cars and typical boy hobbies.

Boy’s culture does not really encourage displays of emotion or reflection on feelings. Until that changes, if it ever does, girls and emotionally attuned males will have to account for this.

To get most guys to change, it usually does no good to ask him to get in touch with his emotions. Instead, tell him simply what you want him to change and why.

If, for example, whenever he comes home late from work and goes straight to the television and then to sleep, making you feel neglected, lonely, and depressed, then tell him exactly that. Then tell him you understand that he’s tired, but that you want more time with him.

It’s good to express how you feel. But most men don’t know what to do with your feelings. So remember to suggest specific actions for him to do.