Dress to Mingle: Meet More People with a Whatzit

There's a good chance there's one thing you're missing that's keeping you from meeting several new people a day. Oh, really? You doubt that? Well then put your hands up and show me you're Whatzit--you're under Whatzit arrest.

Whatzit's a word I picked up from the book, How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships. The technique is foolproof and one I've used for a long time without realizing it was a "technique" at all. So, what exactly is a Whatzit?

"A Whatzit is any object that draws people's attention and inspires them to approach you and ask, 'Uh, What's that?'"

Everyone's been there. You see someone you want to talk to on the bus, standing in line at the coffee shop or grocery store, or with you in the elevator, but you have no excuse to approach them! Some people rely on commenting on the weather--after all, it's one thing you for sure will have in common with a person standing next to you at any given time--but you run the risk of making a vanilla first impression are guaranteed to make a vanilla first impression. Last time I checked, remarking how cold/hot/[insert weather condition here] it is outside didn't inspire any captivating conversation. Or get you a date.

This is where the Whatzit comes in.

It doesn't especially matter what you choose to be your Whatzit, though keep in mind you want it to attract the right people as well as fit in appropriately with the situation (e.g. I would probably never use something with skulls on it. Just sayin'.)

Remember the key purpose is to give people an easy excuse to approach you.

After they initiate conversation (and they will, lots and lots of them), you get to choose how personal you make the conversation or if a simple "thank you" will suffice. It's up to you!

What? What's that you say? You're wondering what exactly is hanging around my neck in the photo? I'm not surprised! This Whatzit wasn't intended to be a conversation catalyst, but I'd be hard pressed to name a day that someone hasn't commented on it*. Whether strangers on the bus, cashiers, people at bars, coworkers, or friends, both male and female, they've all made a comment about it. I can't tell you why it works (maybe the irony of a preppy girl like me adorning herself with a firearm), but just believe me when I say it does.

So, what is your Whatzit?

*The necklace is the Revolver Single Charm Necklace from Charmed and Dangerous. Charmed and dangerous, indeed!