Flirting

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Sure has been snowing a lot so I return to one of my favorite subjects.

Flirting or coquetry is a social activity involving verbal or written communication by one person to another, suggesting an interest in the possibility of a “deeper relationship” (if you know what I mean?).  

Flirting usually involves speaking and behaving in a way that suggests a mildly greater intimacy than the actual relationship between the parties would justify, though within the rules of social etiquette. This may be accomplished by communicating a sense of playfulness or double entendres, or body language.

Flirting behavior varies across cultures. How closely one should stand next to another or how long eye contact will remain or even if touching is appropriate keeps the pair enticed in the adventure.

People flirt for a variety of reasons. Flirting can indicate an interest in a deeper personal relationship with another person. Some people flirt simply for amusement, with no intention of developing any further relationship. This type of flirting sometimes faces disapproval from others, either because it can be misinterpreted as more serious, or it may be viewed as cheating if either person is in a committed relationship with someone else. Some couples set up rules and boundaries for their partner so one will know what's accepted and what's not.

The origin of the word flirt is obscure. The Oxford English Dictionary associates it with such onomatopoeic words as “flit” and “flick”, emphasizing a lack of seriousness; on the other hand, it has been attributed to the old French “conter fleurette”, which means "to (try to) seduce" by the dropping of flower petals, that is, "to speak sweet nothings".

Types of flirting

• Banter • Blowing a kiss • Casual touches; such as a woman gently touching a man's arm during conversation • Coyness, affectedly shy or modest, marked by cute, coquettish, or artful playfulness • Eye contact, batting eyelashes, staring, winking, etc. • Flattery (regarding beauty, sexual attractiveness) • Footsie, a form of flirtation in which people uses their feet to play with each other's feet • Giggling, or laughing encouragingly at any slight hint of intimacy in the other's behavior • Imitating of behaviors  • Maintaining very short distance during casual talking • Online chat, texting and other one-on-one and direct messaging services while hinting affection • Protean signals, such as touching one's hair • Sending notes, poems, or small gifts • Singing specially selected love songs in presence of the girl/boy • Smiling suggestively • Staging of "chance" encounters • Teasing • Tickling • Eyebrow raising

I’m a big fan of flirting for all the above reasons. I believe even as close to a partner or a significant other we are basic human animals and are always looking for more attention than we believe one can obtain. It somehow fills our soul, but one must know when to stop.

Courtship requires “flirting” as an awkward method to get to know the intended. It is our method to test the waters without too much danger leaving a path to back off if necessary. Again it introduces the mysterious enticement to go further.

Flirting is also a method to feed our own shallow egos. Sometimes it is a harmless gesture or a meaningless exercise, but it can have unintended results.

Go to any local adult beverage partaking establishment and on any night can be fulfilled with the entertainment of watching the “flirting” game make it’s hits and misses. Some leave the participants drunk and angry while others are only passing fancies of possibilities.

Being a shy person who could only overcome the intimidation of meeting another by using humor and gregarious behavior to break the ice, I’ve enjoyed the flirting experience. Without being the aggressor I was prime target for the web of the flirt while innocently never knowing it.

In the politically correct world of today, the flirt continues but with some restrain due to being labeled “a dirty old man”. Even that won’t stop me from keep a kick in my step or a flash in my eye.

And I now have the accumulated wisdom to know when not to cross the line. Keep smiling. I’m just flirting.