Do you find yourself in a big party room or conference room standing or sitting alone by your lonesome? Or do you find yourself wanting to meet somebody but you are scared-off-your-pants, because you don’t know how to approach that person or you don’t know what to say? And the day or night wears off without you meeting any interesting person. Sad, ‘no? Pathetic, even.

What you need is a pick-up device or tool that works well for your social and/or business networking purposes. The current apple of my eyes, author Leil Lowndes, suggests sporting a visual prop he calls “whatzit.” He says it is anything you wear or carry that is unusual—a unique pin, an interesting purse, a strange tie, or an amusing hat. A whatzit is any object that draws people’s attention and inspires them to approach you and ask, “Uh, what’s that?” Your whatzit can be as subtle or overt as your personality and the occasion permits.