FLIRTING & NETWORKING

I looked at the newsletter of marketing adviser Ilse Benun.

She started a discuss on networking and flirting. Women had asked her how not to convey the impression that they were flirting.

She admitted that she flirted and that she did business more successfuly with men.

I looked at a picture of another person, Colleen. Her picture said flirting all over it.

1 First the sexy smile. Not quite face-on but coquettishly slightly sideways to imply 'chase me'.

2 The glasses slightly down the nose so the eyes are at the top.

3 The dimpled lines created by the self-conscious pursed lips.

4 The clincher is the open-neck shirt. For business you wear a buttoned up shirt. Opening it almost down to the bust is a come-on.

5 An open-neck shirt is also very friendly. It says I'm casual and easy-going, which combined with the smile ...

As Shakespeare said of Lady Macbeth: 'Methinks the lady doth protest too much.'

I also liked the tip about how to flirt. When you look at a man's wedding ring and ask, 'Do you have a girlfriend?' that's a leading question.

But if you ask if he has children that's more neutral.

I have the opposite problem. I want to get dates. How do I find the one available man at a conference and convey that I'm fascinated by his business because he's a successful man and I fancy him?

I want to hint that after this cocktail party ends, why doesn't he ask me out to dinner?

How do I tell him that I'm successful and solvent and want to go into business with him - and more?

As the song in the musical Avenue Q says: 'It's a fine, fine line.'