Book excerpt: Ambitious and straightforward, Alexandra aims to make it big in the hotel industry, prompting her to leave her native Uzbekistan and set her sights on New York City, all the while searching for the one whom she could introduce to her traditional Korean family. As she tackles the dating scene—first in New York’s concrete jungle and then in Miami’s palm tree–lined beaches—Alexandra encounters a series of disappointing dates and relationships with men from different cultural backgrounds. What Not to Date recounts sixteen of these experiences, humorously categorized when she attributes the worst qualities of these men to their sperm. There’s Rage Flare Sperm, a sugar mama–seeking playboy with anger management issues and Ivy League Sperm, well-versed in world politics and languages but with an extremely small package. But it’s Athletic Sperm, the one who got away only to return asking for a second chance, who truly challenges Alexandra to confront what she really wants. Always keeping it real with her unapologetic attitude and unfiltered comments, Alexandra offers practical dating advice and invaluable lessons. What Not to Date is a dating manual through the personal account of a woman who realizes that hospitality and dating scenes are not so different—ultimately, they reflect how we welcome people into our lives and how we accommodate their needs and ours.