University of Memphis students still searching for that specialsomeone this Valentine's Day may need to take another look at their"mate map," according to a new book.
Mate selection expert Steven Sacks has created a personalizedscreening process in his new book, "The Mate Map: The Right Toolfor Choosing the Right Mate." The process is aimed at making iteasier to find Mr. or Miss Right.
"The point is, instead of having random ideas in your head, youwould have something more concrete," Sacks said.
Those looking for a mate should focus on four essential areas --chemistry, physical attraction, love and personality, he said.
"The one thing is to be compatible in the four separate areas,"Sacks said. "So many people fall in love with someone in one of thefour areas but tend to overlook their lack of compatibility in theother areas."
However, many University of Memphis students find they havetheir own views on what's important when searching for love.
"The No. 1 thing is a good sense of humor because life is aboutlaughter," said Natalie Narrow, junior journalism major. "If he canmake me laugh, that can go a long way."
Freshman biology major David Jones said he has several things helooks for in a potential partner.
"She has to be attractive," Jones said. "But she also has tohave a good personality, be smart, have a good sense of humor andhave high morals."
Attractiveness is also part of freshman computer science majorSergio Lane's personal mate map.
"If the face isn't attractive, it's probably not going to work,"he said.
Although some students find physical appearance to be a key partof their selection process, senior education major Stephanie Martinsaid her requirements go beyond looks and personality.
"I make sure they have a car so I don't have to drive themaround all the time," she said. "I need someone not alwaysdependent on me."
In addition to listing the qualities they desire in a potentialmate, some students said where they meet their potential mate is asimportant as who they meet.
"I probably wouldn't look in the club (for a mate)," Jones said."School would be the No. 1 place because you know she is getting aneducation."
However, Narrow said she doesn't search for a mate. She usuallylets the man approach her.
"I've never really just looked," she said. "If it happens, thenit just happens."
In the search for a mate, the number of people a person meets ismore important than the place, Sacks said.
"Meeting as many people as possible means you are more likely tofind someone for you," he said.
Whatever mate map a student chooses, the best advice is to learnfrom past experiences, remembering not to repeat the same mistakesin choosing a mate, Sacks said.
Jones, agreed, saying there were some things he learned frompast relationships that he would not want to repeat in thefuture.
"I wouldn't be too nice, and I would try to take things a littleslower," he said.
