I have the same problem. A method that I accidentally found yesterday is circling your town.
Put all of your bells and items in the storage/bank. Then they won't request trades, higher chance of request. Use with swimming technique.
I have had luck with the swimming trick only once.
But really, the best way for me was to simply play the game. ^^; I noticed that just by walking around, entering buildings every now and then, will trigger pings. I have been getting PWP suggestions every day for a few days now.