Getting the attention of someone you find interesting can be a difficult task. Flirting is an extremely difficult art that will only get better with practice. However, the following tips will help you to be all you can be next time a good looking hunk or beautiful woman walks into the room.

photo by ahanki

1. Smile and the world will smile back. Smiling is important as it sends off a particular signal. Smiling tells people that you are approachable, happy and non-threatening. Frowning will only attract others who are just as unhappy as you. Researchers have shown that smiling is contagious and that by smiling, even when unhappy, will release the neurotransmitters involved in happiness. So, not only will you feel happier, you will spread happiness through smiling. If that mysterious and interesting figure starts to smile because of you s/he will attribute the happiness to you and may even approach you.
2. Eye contact has also been proven to have a powerful effect when flirting. Studies have shown that when complete strangers were told to stare into each other’s eyes for a few minutes that each reported they were attracted to the person at the end of the session. This is because staring into each other’s eyes dilates the pupils and simulates arousal.
3. Be confident. Confident people attract confident people. Confidence will also help you get what you want as you will be more certain about what you want. Your body will radiate and you will start more conversations with people. The more people you meet, the more likely you will find someone you click with.
4. Don’t be too serious. No one likes a downer. If that special someone doesn’t notice you don’t take it personally! There are others, billions of others! Getting down because flirting didn’t work will leak into your confidence and make it more likely that you will fail the next time. If s/he doesn’t notice you then s/he was not worth it! Move on with a smile.
5. Listen and question. Once engaged in a chitchat listen to the other person and question them on things they confide in you. People like talking about themselves and questioning your flirting partner will indicate that you really are interested in them! Besides, this will be an opportunity to see if this person is really all that interesting.
6. Don’t get away too much information. There are some things that are just not appropriate for the first talk, for the first date, even the first year! No one wants to hear about the ex or about the parents. Don’t wait to long in a relationship to discuss the important stuff, but don’t lay it all on them during the first night.
7. Wear the right clothes to attract the right person. Sure, that strapless shirt and mini skirt is sexy but do you really want to attract people on the basis on what body parts you’re letting them gaze at? Real relationships have to have an element of mind as well as body: sex and intelligence.
8. Do not use the cheese. Leave the cheesy, corny pickup lines at home. Talking honestly about how you feel will always be more sincere than those pickup lines found at the joke website. Improvisation requires a little confidence mixed in with a little intellect and a dash of emotion. Dazzle the person with your wit and creativity.
9. Buy them a drink. This will draw their attention. However, do not buy them what you are drinking. This will come off as controlling and selfish. Instead, buy them another of whatever they are drinking.
10. Follow your gut. Instincts are usually right about people being “off”. If you get a bad feeling about how someone is looking at you, or is talking to you, leave. It is always better safe than sorry.

Relationships are not easy to start and even harder to maintain. However, that feeling of someone special caring about you and you caring about someone special is worth all the effort you go through to get there! Remember that flirting is a game. Have fun and don’t be too serious. You will find that someone special, so keep up a smile and be confident!