Susan Rabin - Lucky in Love: 52 Fabulous, Foolproof Flirting Strategies, One for Every Week of the Year

I want to thank my readers, clients and School of Flirting attendees for sharing their flirting stories with me. It was gratifying to hear how much fun, spontaneity and success flirting has brought into their lives.

I want my family and friends to know how much they make me feel Lucky in Love.

A special thanks to my daughter, Frannie, for her expertise, love and patience in skillfully organizing Lucky in Love on the computer.

Thanks to my editors, Julie Saltman and Hilary Redmon, for their skill, patience and hard work. It was very much appreciated, and it was a pleasure to work with them both. I want to thank Brant Janeway, once again, for all the expert and enduring publicity.

Thanks to the people who have supported me from the beginning of my flirting career: Rich Gosse, chairman of American Singles Education, Inc., the worlds largest nonprofit singles organization and sponsor of my School of Flirting events. Also Frederic Bien, friend and founder of flirt.com. (Flirt.com and the School of Flirting were some of the first sites on the Internet. Flirt.com continues to be an exceptional singles site.) Dan Bender, friend, entrepreneur and troubleshooter for www.schoolofflirting.com.

And last, but not least, to the gentlemen in my life I have flirted with and who have flirted with me. Isnt it fun?!

As she climbed the steps of the Museum of Natural History, Cynthia thought eagerly of the lecture on The Role of Pair Bonding in Primitive Society, she was headed for, but perhaps even more eagerly about her real project for the evening: meeting Mr. Right. Since shed read Susan Rabins book on flirting, 101 Ways to Flirt , she knew that anyplace could harbor flirting opportunitiesdances, bars and singles parties were no longer her only options.

The auditorium was packed with like-minded people, which made it a perfect place to make a connection, but how would she know who was single? She watched for the signs of an eligible gentlemen: searching for a single seatthough, of course, that was no guarantee of his singledomand not wearing a wedding ring.

She lingered at the entrance until the lights went dim, and then made her decision. A tall blond man with spectacles, dressed in a Harris Tweed suit, seemed like a good candidate. If she was wrong, there was always intermission. After all, there was no law against changing your seat or sidling up to some other gentleman in the lobby.

Cynthias exquisitely carved African elephant necklace and bright-turquoise blouse were carefully selected to attract attention. But to improve her odds, she also carried a prop: National Geographic . Armed with her magazine, she edged down the aisle. She tripped getting into her seat, dropped her magazine, and when she brushed against the blond strangers arm, he reached out a hand to steady her.

Thank you so much, she said, smiling.

Of course. Are you OK?

Yes, thanks. I shouldnt have been in such a rush. She gave him a small smile, indicating her awkwardness.

You dropped your magazine, he said, handing it to her. My favorite.

What did you think about that volcano piece? I liked it, but why does it always seem as though

Just then the house lights went down.

Later, she said.

Later, he smiled.

I was really proud of Cynthia. What had she done? Not only had she chosen a fascinating place to flirt, shed arrived ahead of time to case the joint, so to speak, and make a flirting plan. She plotted her moves with pleasure instead of desperation, and took fate into her own hands. She had a prop, and even took action, gently tripping in the hope that the handsome gentleman would notice. She smiled easily, made eye contact and nodded. Cynthia was polite, thanking him for his help. She made small talk and closed the encounter with a promised future meeting at intermission. Cynthia made it known that she wanted to get to know this special stranger. Some might call Cynthia manipulative; I call her smart. She wasnt always, but today Cynthia is a Master Flirt!