I have heard that the subject matter of a great book is an idea just waiting to be written down. Well, Don't Be Afraid To Dance — The Shy Man's Guide to Dating and Sex, by Jay Brock is not great but the idea has been up for grabs for a while now.

The title should be pretty self-explanatory, and for those shy guys out there who don't like to read, it gets right to the point.

I have to say that despite the embarrassing looks I got, I liked the book. It has a Big Lebowski type of humor. As a girl (some necessary clarification), I didn't want to laugh, but couldn't really help myself. Brock is a comedian, writing with all the experience of a socially retarded yet apparently successful gigolo.

This book is an effort to help all the shy guys out there find mates. I say mates because Brock is no monogamy enthusiast, but I must assume this to be the guy mentality kicking in.

And this book is definitely written for the guys. I myself found it very enlightening to the inner workings of the male mind. Of course there is that hope that Brock is an exception to the male race — I hate to think that every woman is seen as a potential sex partner. But I shouldn't editorialize. The point is, according to Brock, that every woman can be viewed as a potential sex partner (and if you are lucky like Brock you may one day even make it with the babysitter). Even shy guys can get laid — all you need are a few tips.

The tips in the guide range from creative to painfully obvious. However, from experience, I can say that the cockier members of the human race (no pun intended) often overlook even the seemingly obvious advice.

Good hygiene merits a chapter in itself, because Brock's book is intelligent enough not to take the male mind for granted.

For the more ambitious Don Juan's out there (and Brock promises to get all readers to this step), there are fascinating little pearls of knowledge. And every tidbit is accompanied with an amusing story guaranteed to make you laugh (and some others blush); my personal favorite included the babysitter with some edible underwear.

The Shy Man's Guide to Dating and Sex can be purchased online at www.jaybrock.com after May 1.

Ladies, I think it could be a wonderful anonymous gift, but please don't give it to anyone dense enough to take it seriously. The guide comes with a workbook component. The book gives me nightmares of some guy mentally ticking off the steps in the exercises at the end of each chapter as he tries to get his victim in bed.

I'll give you a freebie from sage Brock — if a woman's pupils are dilated from the drinks you are giving her then you are on the right track. She's almost drunk enough for you to make your move.