What are the basic requirements for villagers to begin suggesting PWPs?

[Hamilton]

I had a really great stupid idea to try to unlock all of the PWPs at once then completely focus on my town and its paths and landscaping after I've gotten everything set up. The only problem I'm having is that nobody is suggesting any PWPs. So far, I've completed the development permit and tutorial, so I don't know if it's just bad luck or not. I've been obsessively doing the diving trick, but to no avail. Are there any other requirements across from unlocking the ability to make PWPs?

 

[Nayab]

Getting all the PWPs unlocked before building any at all might get you quite bored. In my experience, I'll unlock one or two PWPs a week, talking to villagers who ping me often and without time travelling. If you have your development permit, you should be able to unlock PWPs now. But, it's a slow roll.

 

[contententity]

ive read somewhere that it helps if you're good friends with the villager youre trying to get a pwp from, but im not sure how true that actually is. couldnt hurt though. also, when doing the diving trick, i always have full pockets and zero bells to maximize the chance of getting a pwp request. hope this helps! good luck~

 

[pictureperfectLT]

I find the diving trick most useful. I usually get one suggestion every day, but there have been days where I spend an hour doing it, and it's always "Do you think I should change my catchphrase?" or "Think me up a new greeting!" Trial and error, just keep at it.

 

[smileorange]

You really should be good to go! I don't know about trying to get all of them before building any because that would take a long time! Also, I've been pinged immediately after the ceremonies for public work projects, so that's a really good time for getting them too.

 

[skarmoury]

You don't necessarily have to do the diving trick! The point is that you need to avoid any eye contact with any villager. After 5 minutes or so, try walking past them, and see if someone pings; it's a game of luck from there, and if they don't suggest PWPs, go into hiding again.

Also yeah, trying to get all PWPs is boring. It's gonna take you a long time, believe me. Good luck to whatever you do though! c:

 

[katysu]

I don't think you will be able to unlock all PWP without building any. If you build some of the basic PWP that are there from the start of the game, then the villagers start to suggest them.

Never ignore a ping - I want to sometimes as I have a rare bug/item I want to keep in my pocket, but the suggestions for PWP can come anytime, so always engage.
Whether friendship level has anything to do with it, I don't know. I seem to get more interaction with the villagers if I talk to them on a regular basis.
Build cheap removable PWP, you can always get rid of them later.

 

[Barbara]

You don't necessarily have to do the diving trick! The point is that you need to avoid any eye contact with any villager. After 5 minutes or so, try walking past them, and see if someone pings; it's a game of luck from there, and if they don't suggest PWPs, go into hiding again.

Also yeah, trying to get all PWPs is boring. It's gonna take you a long time, believe me. Good luck to whatever you do though! c:

I'd say use this advice, and if nobody pings, talk to a villager; they might mention you should take a break and you won't get pings if they haven't told you that yet. Then walk in front of a few other villagers and you might get a ping already if you've been out of their sight for a long enough time.
You have to stay away from them outside though, and with quite a bit of distance. That's why the diving trick is so popular, since you can get all the way in the lower right/left (depending on your beach) corner of your town, making distance with even those close to the beach.