Flirtation has long been considered a skill associated with dating. The proficient can wield it to capture the hearts and minds of suitable mates. Those that are less adept run the risk of looking awkward and trashy. However, if you’re single and looking for love, flirting can provide a great way to meet someone and put an end to the nights of watching old movies alone on the couch.

Flirting, and all that it involves, takes on some pretty broad definitions. Dictionary.com says flirtation is a superficial and temporary romance -- as in “Joshua was a flirtation she had back in high school.” A flirt is someone who makes playfully romantic or sexual overtures. “Tammy was a huge flirt around the office.” Sex and romance are almost intertwined with the idea of flirting but it is not generally looked upon as serious behavior. It has proper places and times when it can be best utilized for personal enjoyment and gain but knowing when the best times are is essential if you’re looking to pull it off with any style.

“Flirtation is about 10 percent what you say and 90 percent how you appear.”

Many attempts at flirting, no matter how well meaning, can come off wrong. It could be an error in delivery or poor timing or the inability to read the intended target of flirtation correctly. “Hey baby, nice legs,” may seem like a wonderfully brilliant observation and form of flattery, but it lacks taste and class. You might be able to pull it off but, at the very least, it says that the most important thing that led to an introduction is physical attraction. We all want to be desired by others but do we want to spend our lives with someone who really liked us for our legs? If you want to flirt, do it with style. Set the bar higher!

Being a master flirt takes a keen sense of observation. You need to be able to read the subject of your adoration accurately. Compliments are a good way to go. You should always start with an intro – a short blurb that lets the person you’re flirting with know that you’re addressing them. Common starters include hey, well and wow. This gives their mind a chance to focus on this new distraction. Once you’ve opened up the lines of communication, you need a follow up. If you’re going to compliment, try an article of clothing, a bag that they might be carrying, jewelry or their hair. This will appease the desire for adoration and subtly convey the obvious fact that you think they have nice legs, arms, butt or chest. You can even take a step back and try something more general. Again, using one of the starting segue, you can float in general questions that might be even subtler. Here are some examples:

~Wow, isn’t it beautiful out there?
~Hey, you wouldn’t happen to have caught the last episode of Survivor would you?
~Well, I guess this is the end of summer, isn’t it?

Flirtation is about 10 percent what you say and 90 percent how you appear. Conversation will be used to get you in the door so it’s a very important ten percent. Once inside, though, you need to turn up the heat. Smiling at the person is essential. They need to know that you’re having a good time around them. You also need to practice smiling with your eyes. You should be able to look across a crowded bar and let them know you’re flirting with one look. Just to be certain, practice this in front of a mirror so that your look doesn’t resemble that of a convict on his first day out of jail. Women can usually flirt by tossing or touching her hair around an observant male. Always be facing the person you’re flirting with and give them your undivided attention. Master your body language and you will be a lot more successful with your flirtations!