The
dictionary on my bookshelf defines flirting as "Behaving or
acting amorously without emotional commitment." Well, that's
one definition but, like me, you probably realise that there
are also many other definitions of flirting. I have chosen a very
generic definition of flirting on which to base my creation of the
Flirting Weekend. This is because I feel it is important for
people to realise that flirting can be a natural way of communicating
with anyone as well as a way of communicating either amorous or
sexual interest or both!
I
recently discovered that the word 'flirting' has its roots in the
old French word 'fleurter' meaning 'to flower' I like that.
Here's my definition.
Flirting
is shining your inner light via your words and deeds in such a way
that people are irresistibly drawn to you.
Flirting
is a natural gift that
we have had from birth. Babies flirt wildly with everyone that comes
their way. Unfortunately many adults seem to have lost this wonderful
ability. Somewhere along the line we were [wrongly in my opinion]
told that it was bad to draw attention to ourselves that little
children should be seen and not heard. Some people have grown into
adults that are neither seen nor heard. But there is hope you can
learn to flirt again.
Flirting
is a signaling mechanism
that was bestowed upon us by nature. It is a communication tool.
Sigmund Freud said that we leak the truth from every pore. We all
have patterns of physical reaction that we exhibit. The secret is
knowing the patterns of others and being aware of our patterns.
For example it is useful to be know what reaction certain behaviours
you do create in others. The reaction might be very different to
the reaction you are intending to create. We are all gifted with
the ability to signal. Many of us need to learn to read how our
signals affect others and what signals we can send out to convey
certain messages. This goes hand in hand with the ability to decipher
other people's signals.
Flirting
is our natural way of expressing interest in people.
A smile bestowed here, a shared giggle or a word exchanged in the
supermarket line can be a powerful thing. Flirting can be a prelude
to friendship or a prelude to mating. Once you know how to do it
you can choose how to use it. Great flirts do it with everyone,
babies, men, women dogs and cats. People who flirt well get what
they want in life because they know how to create good feelings
in other people.
I
am a natural flirt I love communicating and I find myself
initiating conversation with strangers wherever I go.
When
I go outside in the world I get an overwhelming sense of possibility
and anticipation. I know that I have the opportunity to connect
with someone new each day. When I encounter someone who looks good
I often turn round and say great dress or 'neat tie'
as I pass by.. Sometimes I place my hand on someones shoulder
or tap them on the arm and say I just wanted to say
you have lovely hair. I have NEVER had a rebuff. Quite the
contrary. The warm smile that comes over the faces of people I encounter
gives me a real buzz. And it costs absolutely nothing.
One
word of warning. Its no use telling a grossly overweight person
what a lovely trim figure they have! People can spot insincerity
a mile off. I always make sure to compliment only those attributes
or adornments that I really do like. MORE after this message
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I go
running sometimes on the seafront. I just enjoy smiling and saying
'hi' or 'good morning' to EVERYONE I meet. I know that someone
will take that smile and pass it on to someone else...who knows
what positive knock-on consequences it might have.
Life
goes at a fast pace and many of us are rushing around with our heads
full of what we have to do, what we haven't done, what's bothering
us, what we want to happen. It's too easy to get caught up in our
own inner world. Every so often it's important to come outside,
pay attention to what's going on in the world and acknowledge that
we all share the same planet and a kind word or a genuine smile
goes a long way to maintaining our membership of the human race
as opposed to becoming merely a human racing!
There
are many different types of flirting.
For example, you can flirt sexually or non-sexually. The key is
to know what you want to achieve and what are the right signals
for your purpose. When I was in a relationship, my partner once
asked me why, as an attractive and very flirty woman, I dont
have men beating down the door to ask me out. I believe it is because
I sent out the signals that say, I like you, I want to enjoy your
company, but Im not available. When you are flirting for fun
and not to attract a partner, it is very important to differentiate.
The
way someone might flirt with their partner or lover will be very
different from the way they will flirt with the supermarket checkout
person and different still from flirting with a business associate.
Yes, you can flirt at work and steer clear of sexual harassment.
The key is to know which signals to send out to whom and for what
reason!
When
I was fourteen, I was an indiscriminate, unsophisticated and wanton
flirt. I also looked a lot more sophisticated and worldly wise than
I was. If a boy looked at me, I looked back at him and played it
for all it was worth hitching up my already micro skirt, pouting,
smiling and generally beckoning. The less diplomatic amongst us
might define my behaviour as 'prick teasing'.
One
day on holiday in Italy, after accepting, behind my parents' back
a date with one of the handsome young waiters I had been wildly
flirting with, I found myself up against the wall as he eagerly
tried to remove my clothes. Fortunately, I extracted myself from
the situation.
Looking
back I realised that I had been 'flirting for England'. I was too
young to realise what effect my flirting was having on a hot-blooded
young man. The fact is that he stopped when I asked him but he might
not have been such a gentleman. We all know that rape is wrong and
that no woman asks to be raped. At the same time we need to be able
to know what signals we are sending out especially when in the company
of people whose judgment might be clouded by alcohol or other substances.
My
wild and highly sexual flirting could have increased my chances
of being 'date-raped'. They were obviously misread by the young
waiter. As a woman it is important to know why we are flirting and
which kind of flirting we should be using. There are times when
we see someone, we want them and we flirt as a sexual come-on andthat's
great, when you know what you want and go for it. But when we do
not have that intention in mind we need to flirt accordingly.
This
will help to maximise your safety and keep your signals clean. If
you don't differentiate you could find yourself in a sticky situation.
Of course, wild sexual flirting can be a marvellous bonus in a relationship.
The
ability to decipher and transmit signals effectively can be learned
I teach it in my playshops. If you want to find out more
about signals read my article.
The
ability to flirt well comes from an inner belief in ones own
self worth.
Some of the best flirts are not your chocolate-box beauties
or your Chippendale' hunks. . They are people who feel confident
that they have something to offer the world and enjoy creating good
feelings in other people. They are the clever ones because they
know that when you make other people feel good, it bounces right
back onto you!
Richard
Bandler, the originator of NLP, says that wallflowers are very selfish
because they, of all people, know how painful it is to sit alone
on the sidelines yet they continue to deprive all those other poor
wallflowers of a gentle word, a warm sound or a bright touch.
Do
you want to be a selfish, lonely wallflower or do you want to send
out your light into the world and be one of those people that everyone
wants to be with.