Chick magnet

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Meet Tai Shan -- the ultimate chick magnet.

The National Zoo's new giant panda cub, who made his first appearance before the international press yesterday, has women all over the Washington area swooning over the cute and cuddly ball of fur -- and more than a few guys scratching their heads.

"He's just not that cute," said Richard Wertheim, 32, of Arlington -- drawing a fork to the leg from his panda-loving female lunch mate.

"He is too cute, say he is," quipped Aqsa Khan, 24, of Woodbridge, Va., to Mr. Wertheim. "The panda is cute, tell me he's cute. He's adorable."

Tai Shan's power over women has not gone unnoticed by local date seekers.

"I wouldn't go out of my way for a panda, but I'd go out of my way for a girl," said Thomas Holland, 17, of Alexandria. "Girls love cute things. [Forget] the movies, take a girl to see the panda."

"When I first saw it, I remember thinking it's not nearly as cute as all the girls are like [saying]," said Mike Mannina, 23, of the District. "I wouldn't want to hurt her feelings, so I might go along with it if my girlfriend liked it."

During Tai Shan's press debut, most of the female reporters oohed and ahhed as the 21-pound cub climbed rocky ledges in his enclosure, pulling himself up with his front legs and wobbling his back paws up and over, while the male reporters focused primarily on shooting pictures and scribbling notes.

It might be maternal instinct that draws the female fans to Tai Shan, said Janice McGurick of the District.

"Guy's don't go for the cuddly stuff," she said. "Men just don't really like cutesy."