ClueChick: real clues from a real chick

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating & Sex by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht, and Jennifer Worick

I assume we're all familiar with the Worst-Case Scenario Handbook series. These are mostly-joking books with step-by-step instructions on how to escape from disastrous situations. In this one, we're presented with a variety of implausible situations from which one might need to escape when dating or having sex. Actually, not all of the scenarios are completely implausible, and, of course, the book is written, as always, with a great sense of humor, so it's worth a quick read. It would also make a good gift for a friend who's just getting into the dating scene, or for one who has a couple of nightmare blind-date stories.

Among my favorite realistic scenarios: How to Determine if Your Date is Married, How to Fend Off a Pickup Artist, How to Survive If You Are Stopped by the Police.

Among my favorite implausible ones: How to Escape from a Bad Date (including instructions on climbing out the bathroom window. My advice here: Tell the date it's not going well and end the date.) How to Carry a Date Who Is Passed Out (the illustrations here have the woman carrying the man, which I love.) How to Fake an Orgasm (if you need step-by-step instructions on this, maybe you shouldn't bother...)

The most relevant to my recent experience was How to Remove a Back-Clasping Bra (with one hand). Now, normally when I've arranged a hookup, I dress for what you might call quick-and-easy access, and that often means I don't bother with a bra. But I was recently on a date with someone where we met for dinner and then came back to my place, and, of course, I was actually wearing a bra for the dinner out portion of the evening. Well, this guy had the one-handed bra removal technique down pat. I don't know how long it's been since I was subject to such an impressively smooth maneuver while undressing, but I don't normally make note of my date's technique in getting me naked, so it must have been a while.

It's always fun to be with someone -- either out on the town or in the bedroom -- who's got some solid tricks and skills to show off. This book may or may not help you develop those tricks, but you'll have fun reading it, regardless.