Flirting is basically a way of meeting potential mates and evaluating their compatibility within a short time. In some situations, it forms the only way in which one can open the door to a relationship with a stranger. There is an art to flirting; some skills are involved to guarantee success. Here are some basic pointers on how to flirt.

To begin with, you should look approachable. Relax, smile and avoid frowning or looking too serious. Your body language should indicate openness to the other person. Avoid being nervous, but instead exude confidence. This is the first step to subtly indicating your intention to the other party.

Reading the body language of the person you intend to approach helps you to judge their interest in you. From the moment when you spot someone who you would be interested in, make an effort to read their body language. Remember that most people have the ability to decipher body language, thus you have to be cautious to avoid sending the wrong signal.

Lower your expectations. Remember that in most cases, people just flirt with each other for short periods. Such encounters do not necessarily translate to relationships. To avoid appearing desperate, keep an open mind.

After you have done this, proceed to initiate a conversation. The best way to approach a stranger would e to make a simple observation that ends with a question. Whatever you say should not really be important; you are just inviting the person to speak with you. If you receive a pleasant reply, proceed with the conversation. If the person seems preoccupied or disinterested, then they probably are not interested in you. Again, remember to keep an open mind.

If you succeed to strike conversation, remember to pay attention to your eye contact. Staring may make you seem too bold and scare the other person. On the other hand, little eye contact makes you seem unsure about yourself, making you appear nervous. Proper eye contact involves glances that do not appear intrusive, while smiling with your eyes.

If reception from the other party is cordial, you can gradually share some details about yourself in a reciprocal manner. You can start with something small, like telling them what you do for a living. The key to sharing personal information is gradually opening up to one another. This allows the intimacy of your conversation to gradually increase. Remember not to give too much information in a short time, and do not try to get the other person to do this.

Remember to give the other person your undivided attention. It is more important to seem interested than interesting. You may use body language to suggest romantic intention if the other person opens up well. Pay attention to red flags, which suggest your intrusion into personal space.

Most flirting is just for fun, and relationships barely materialize out of it. At times, one may meet someone who they would be interested in pursuing a relationship with. The important thing to remember is to keep expectations reasonable. Flirting is after all considered taken as a means to network with people who one is interested in.