What is "flirting"?

I think there's more than one kind of flirting - there's the aforementioned friendly banter, just being playful, with absolutely no intent of trying to take it beyond just that (the kind that you wouldn't have any shame in doing in front of your partner, if you're attached).

Then there's flrting with the hope of it becoming more than that; I wouldn't call it 'ulterior motives,' because if both parties are single and open to it, there's nothing wrong with it.

I'm a generally lightly filrtatious person - to a point, and with people/friends I know and am comfortable with (as in, I know they won't take it the wrong way). My rule has always been if it's not something you'd do/say in front of your partner, then maybe you shouldn't be doing it.

The MFP crush thread got me thinking. What is flirting? In my opinion, flirting is done when you have ulterior motives, otherwise it is friendly banter. Others do not.

So what say you?

dunno but your hair looks nice today and you're looking more chiseled. have you been working out?

LOL!!!

it really depends on your region and your cultural background. I have a friend from Haiti who is very tactile. He gives great hugs, touches my arm when he talks to me and his personal space is very close. I happen to have quite a few international friends, so I am accustomed to this. However, people often confuse his habits for flirting when in fact, that is how he was raised. At no moment have I ever felt like it was sexual.

Excellent point; we have a friend of Japanese descent (he's born and raised here in the US) who is a lip kisser - as in, when he greets close female friends, he gives them a big hug and a quick peck on the lips. It's just how he is, and there's absolutely no ill intent in it (he's happily married, as are most of of close female friends). So with him, it never even raises an eyebrow, yet if any of my other male friends did that, I'd be taken aback. I think for him it's just how he was raised.

ginnyroxx ticker pic :laugh: :laugh:

it's the Valentine Rj gave me

The MFP crush thread got me thinking. What is flirting? In my opinion, flirting is done when you have ulterior motives, otherwise it is friendly banter. Others do not.

So what say you?

Being married to an incurable flirt, I would definitely say flirting can happen with no ulterior motives, though there is definitely a kind of flirting with intent. I'd still call them both flirting.

Innocent flirting I think has to do with the attention and affirmation you get from getting a certain kind of attention from the opposite sex. It is a friendly banter (I would say playful banter) with a hint of suggestiveness. Sometimes there are innuendos and double entedres that push the envelope slightly, but that's what makes it interesting.

i have banter with people i like, i flirt with men i am sexually attracted to.

Wouldn't know if someone was flirting or crushing me if they hit me over the head. :ohwell:

LOL what has gotten into everyone at MFP?! I am seeing a lot of topics on flirting and what you find attractive, etc, etc. Hahaha..too funny. :smooched: :laugh:

LOL what has gotten into everyone at MFP?! I am seeing a lot of topics on flirting and what you find attractive, etc, etc. Hahaha..too funny. :smooched: :laugh:

One of my pet peeves is that sometimes "support" here is defined as a rah rah thing and that has a place but also nice to have folks actually talk about things too.
Sure,maybe it is a little risqué here and there but have found several new friends in the last few days and everyone (I think) has a better feel for how we all are in life.

Probably sounds silly or "too deep" and not really saying it right I guess.

No Carl..I've only been here for a short while and I agree with you.
This IS the fun and games section. We can sweat it in the upper forums with nutrition and exercise issues.

"twitterpated" <---- bwahahahah never heard that word being used before. Im going to have to add it to my vocab. LOL!!!

LOL what has gotten into everyone at MFP?! I am seeing a lot of topics on flirting and what you find attractive, etc, etc. Hahaha..too funny. :smooched: :laugh:

Ill tell you what has gotten into everyone. Spring is just around the corner and everyone is getting Twitterpated! LOL

LOL what has gotten into everyone at MFP?! I am seeing a lot of topics on flirting and what you find attractive, etc, etc. Hahaha..too funny. :smooched: :laugh:

One of my pet peeves is that sometimes "support" here is defined as a rah rah thing and that has a place but also nice to have folks actually talk about things too.
Sure,maybe it is a little risqué here and there but have found several new friends in the last few days and everyone (I think) has a better feel for how we all are in life.

Probably sounds silly or "too deep" and not really saying it right I guess.

No Carl..I've only been here for a short while and I agree with you.
This IS the fun and games section. We can sweat it in the upper forums with nutrition and exercise issues.

Perfectly said!!

I guess I like the way you look at it. I'm FLIRTY (affectionate, playful, joking) with friends, even my friends' husbands. Knowing it won't go anywhere and I don't want it to.

I think when I'm flirting to someone I'm attracted to, it is definitely in hopes it will go somewhere.

I think this is a good way of putting it... I can be hugely flirty... whether I want something more or not. I think it's all about having fun and being playful. There are of course some firms of flirtation that take things further than they should, and I am probably an offender of that, but I say go with the flow.

On MFP, I think most people are involved and as long as it is harmless (meaning there will likely never be a personal meeting), then what's the harm? I know there is a such thing as emotional cheating, and I suppose that's something else that has to be evaluated, but if flirting gets you hot n bothered enough to ravage your S.O., then why not??

I agree RJ. Especially in our group of friends things get awfully "playful" and downright raunchy sometimes lol. I've never considered it flirting in the slightest!

Off the subject...but those horses are too cool!....I have a fat old quarterhorse, hoping to get a new horse this summer. Love those Paints!