A smile, a nod, a wink or a wave. Sometimes this is just a way to say hello, other times there is a much deeper meaning. The whole trick, for both sexes, is to figure out if it is a greeting or a flirtatious advance. Of course, interest in the other person will be a determining factor as to whether or not there will be a follow up.
For some, flirting is a type of communication, a way of meeting people, accumulating phone numbers or encountering the next "hook-up". There are those who are often misinterpreted as flirty, for females, or players, for males, because they are a bit over-friendly and others who tend to habitually flirt with everyone of the opposite sex (or same sex, depending on sexual orientation) as if it is some sort of sport. It is not often a reliable indicator of interest for those reasons, but it can make for a fun and interesting study in human behaviour.
When flirting, creativity is key, at times, this is the first impression in a great pool of first impressions; you want you make it memorable. There are many basic methods of flirting, usually beginning with eye contact. For women, the sidelong glance with the "hair toss" and mystery smile is quite popular, often when women play with their hair or neck jewellery, it indicates some interest. Men sometimes will nod and smile, all the while letting their roving eyes tell of their fascination and let us not forget those pick up lines, even though some are quite forgettable.
Unfortunately for single people, having a flirtatious experience does not always mean that it is a viable meeting. Sometimes one of the people may just be passing the time until they meet somebody they like better. For couples however, flirting with one another can be a form of "foreplay"; a way to reignite the spark and add excitement to the relationship. Catching the eye of your partner from across a crowded room and giving them a reason to believe there may be some fun later, can make for an interesting evening out.
There are occasions when flirting might be used as a sort of weapon or revenge, this is not always a good idea because of the possibility of someone innocent getting stuck in the middle of a mind game and getting hurt just because of a "harmless" flirt with the wrong person.
Whether single or in a relationship, flirting can be great fun when done for the “right reasons”, most times it is a safe form of communication and opens up endless possibilities as far as meeting potential dating partners. There is also the entertainment value when "people watching" it can be used as a behavioural teaching and learning tool. Whatever your reasons for observing or engaging in it, flirting is fun for everyone.
