We all know flirting too well. Whether it’s us doing the flirting or others flirting with us. Flirting is one of those natural instincts and actions that tell the other person we’re interested in them. However, flirting has become complex and is oftentimes used to gain an advantage. We’ll stick to flirting in relationships for this article.You’ve searched far and wide, communicated over email, make the leap to phone correspondence and you’re finally ready to go on a first date. The butterflies and working overtime and all your fears are making you question your ability to play it cool and show your prospective partner that you’re not desperately looking for a partner but you’re very interested in them.How do you show someone that you’re open to them romantically without risking sending the message of desperation and worse, risking rejection? On one word, flirting!

There are three primary types of flirting.

The first and most misused flirting technique is the sexual flirt. We do not recommend this technique unless you are absolutely confident that your date is open to it and you are confident enough to pull it off! There are several ways this flirt can be executed. The carnal rule of this type of flirting is you absolutely must be 100% confident! If you lack in the confidence department, you will just look creepy! And this goes for both men and women. Sexual flirts are best done with innuendo rather than literals. Remember that your date doesn’t want to feel uncomfortable on a date or feel as if you’re there just to “get some”. They want to have some laughs and a nice time which leads us into the next and probably the best flirt, the comedic flirt.

Comedy flirts are a little tricky. There’s a fine line between funny and, well, not funny. We strongly suggest you stay way clear of any touchy subjects like politics. Everyone has different sensibilities and turning someone’s passion into a joke is dangerous territory. Instead, try to add some comedic relief to present situations. Your bartender may be wearing something funny of someone at the next table may have said something that can be easily converted into a joke. The comedy flirt is meant to relieve you and your date of any dating jitters and add a few smiles and laughs to the experience. If properly executed, this is a highly effective flirt. However, if executed perfectly, you may come off as a “friend” and that’s just bad news!

Generally the Comedy Flirt and the Banter Flirt go hand in hand but unless you’re a master flirter, we don’t recommend you combine these two.

We love the banter flirt and find it the most effective. Banter flirts are risky but if properly executed, they’re highly effective to get your date comfortable and eating out of the palm of your hand. Banter flirts involve light teasing of your date but not to the point where it may seem you’re picking at them. Banter flirting can easily be construed as nitpicking and is oftentimes taken offensively so make sure you keep it very light and minimal. Teasing your date about their choice in clothing the entire night isn’t very flattering. Try to stay away from personal tangible things like clothing, hair, their car, etc. and stick to non-tangibles like accents, smiles, and even walks can be molded into cute moments of light banter.

Flirting is a great way to break the ice and let your date know that you’re interested. Over-flirting is over selling and that’s a big no-no. If you over-flirt, you will come off as desperate, overbearing, and even offensive. The best way to flirt is to keep back off once you’ve executed a flirt. This will keep you date guessing and gives them a chance to respond. It also gives you a chance to see if they are receptive to your advances and what better way to see if your date is interested by receiving a flirt in return.

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