Ready, steady, flirt! It's as easy as 1-2-3

Make eye contact, smile, say hello - flirting is fun when you know how, says Californian Rich Gosse, a walking encyclopaedia on luring the opposite sex.

He has come to Auckland to spread the joys of coquetry at a Flirting Convention tonight.

Gosse met his wife Debby at one of his own flirting conventions at San Francisco five years ago.

He was so impassioned about the fate of non-marrieds last year he ran against Arnold Schwarzenegger in California's state election on a "fairness for singles" platform.

He has written many books on the topic "Flirting is fun, flirting is easy."

After teaching people the skills tonight, those who feel qualified can compete for the title of Mr or Ms New Zealand Flirt.

Anyone can learn, although some people claim to have a natural gift.

An Englishman in his 30s, now living in New Zealand, says all he has to do is open his mouth.

"My accent used to be scorned on but now, thanks to Hugh Grant, it's actually quite attractive."

The same man also recommends that every male has a flaw or two. A bad shirt can work in your favour.

"Then the woman looks at you and goes, 'Ooh, look at that - but I can change that about him' and they like having something to work on. It's very important."

Gosse's wooing arsenal is summed up:

* Out with fear, in with courage: Fear of rejection is the greatest obstacle to finding love.

* Make eye contact. Two seconds is good. Any less and your target may not notice, any more they might think you're a stalker.

* Smile.

* Work up the guts to speak. "Hi" can be astonishingly effective.

* Ask them questions, specifically about themselves.

* Don't bother playing hard to get. If you want to meet the most attractive man, you must make the first move.

* Subtlety doesn't work with men. You have to hit them over the head with a stick or they won't notice.

Hello there!

What: Flirting Convention.

Where: Spencer on Byron hotel ballroom, Byron Ave, Takapuna, Auckland.

When: Tonight, 7.30pm to midnight. Entry, $20.