Dear Dinah,

I’m an exchange student from Sweden studying in Beijing. Every day I go to the library to check out a guy that I like. He’s Chinese but I think he speaks English. I can never think of a way to start a conversation. What’s the best way to break the ice?

There’s a common phrase when stuck for the right romantic words: “Say it with a rose.” Normally that applies to men giving women flowers, but in your case why don’t you try food as the other well-known phrase advises: “To best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” This is especially true of Chinese men. Being Swedish, you can up the interest level by offering to share something from your homeland. If reindeer jerky is too scarce around here, Ikea can come to the rescue with their loganberry jam and other Swedish treats. Salted licorice fish anyone?

Need advice? Ask METRO's agony aunt Dinah Chong Watkins. E-mail questions to metrobeijing@chinadaily.com.cn. Please give as many details about the situation as possible.