Survive the dangerous world of dating

By now most of us have heard of "The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook" series. Offering sage advice on perilous, life-threatening or embarrassing situations, these books have given hope to the people who live dangerously while traveling, golfing, home for the holidays and even at work. \nWhile all of these volumes have protected the prepared, the authors have delved into the most dangerous area of human relations: dating. Their introduction says it all: Love hurts. Love is a battlefield. \nWhat better way to help out your chances than a guide to help you through all of the mishaps that can occur along the way?\nWritten by Joshua Priven, David Borgenicht and Jennifer Worick, "The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating & Sex" can help you save a date from the clutches of disaster. Priven and Borgenicht are the creators of the series, and this time around they have added a female member to the team to cover their bases. The authors have assembled a team of experts to help solve the sticky situations people manage to get themselves into every day.\nThe authors help you endure the wilds of dating with a wide range of survival skills. Not only are detailed instructions for spotting breast implants included, but also tips on how to determine if your blind date is really an axe murderer, con artist or a cross-dresser.\nI found the instructions on escaping bad dates particularly funny. At one time or another, many of us have found ourselves on dates with people so boring or incompatible with us we would rather chew off our hand than sit through it for another minute. Rather than attempting an at-home amputation, the authors suggest an escape plan that borders on James Bond-like intrigue. From altering your appearance to sneaking out the kitchen, escape routes are clearly marked for people who abhor their blind date. \nHowever, the advice isn't simply about dating; appearances and sex are covered by the intrepid authors. Advice on how to easily join the "mile high" club are included in this handy book, but also the warning that having sex in an airplane lavatory is a violation of federal law, so sneakiness is the key.\nWhat if your zipper gets stuck? The answer is here. What if you have excessive gas? Also here. In fact, most foreseeable -- and many unforeseeable -- dating mishaps are covered in this book. What to do if you don't remember last night's conquest's name is here, but that's a situation I'd strive to avoid. From meeting the parents to faking an orgasm, the safety net for your dating life is here. This book, while a tad on the humorous side, does in fact hold some practical advice for anyone out there who is braving the wild world of dating.\n"The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating & Sex" is published by Chronicle Books. It is available at Greetings, Barnes & Noble, Borders and several other local retailers for $14.95.