Whether you're on the lookout for love or just want to avoid giving the wrong impression, it's important to be able to recognize the signs of flirting.
Here are a few subtle clues that someone might actually be flirting with you and not just being friendly.
They make prolonged eye contact.
Eye contact can be a powerful flirting technique. Ina study published in the Journal of Research in Personality, researchers found that participants who gazed into each other's eyes for prolonged periods were more likely to report feelings of affection for the other person.
Though someone may not be consciously trying to woo you with endless gazes, eye contact is a good indicator that someone finds you interesting and potentially attractive.
They shoot you a lot of brief glances.
It's not just prolonged eye contact that can give away someone's romantic interest. According to Pamela Regan's book "Close Relationships," men, in particular, tend to directmany brief glances at the intended target of their flirtation.
This might mean that constantly catching the eye of someone across the room might be subtle flirtation rather than pure coincidence.
They play with their clothing.
According to research on nonverbal signs of romantic interest, toying with a sleeve or fidgeting with a button could actually be flirting.
Thestudy recorded the interactions of unacquainted participants and then asked them about their level of romantic interest in each other. Female participants were noted to be more likely to play with their clothing if they were interested in another participant.
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