Flirting

Flirting is a form of human interaction, usually expressing a sexual or romantic interest in the other person. It can consist of conversation, body language, and/or brief physical contact. It may be one-sided or mutual.

It is sometimes used as a means of expressing interest and gauging the other person's interest in dating or sexual activity. In this context it is often an important early part of courtship, which can continue into long term relationships such as marriage. Alternatively, it may simply be a prelude to casual sex with no continuing relationship.

In other situations, it may be done simply for immediate entertainment, 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 the person is already in a romantic relationship with someone else.

People who flirt may speak and act in a way that suggests greater intimacy than is generally considered appropriate to the relationship (or to the amount of time the two people have known each other), without actually saying or doing anything that breaches any serious social norms. One way they accomplish this is to communicate a sense of playfulness or irony. Double entendres, with one meaning more formally appropriate and another more suggestive, may be used.

Flirting may consist of stylized gestures, language, body language, postures, and physiologic signs, some of which are also part of foreplay. Among these, at least in Western society, are:

  • Eye contact
  • Casual touches
  • Footsies, the "feet under the table" practice
  • Smiling suggestively
  • "Protean" signals, such as touching one's hair
  • Sending and receiving notes, poems, mixtapes, or written music
  • Friendly teasing
  • Winking
  • Constant glances

The etymology of the verb "to flirt" comes from the old French "Conter fleurette", which means "to (try to) seduce" by the dropping of flower leaves. This expression is no longer used in French, but the English gallicism to flirt has made its way and has now become an anglicism.

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