Changes

origin unknown

origin unknown

It has been attributed to the old French ''conter fleurette'', which means "to (try to) seduce" by the dropping of flower petals, that is, "to speak sweet nothings".  

It has been attributed to the old French ''conter fleurette'', which means "to (try to) seduce" by the dropping of flower petals, that is, "to speak sweet nothings".  

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Century 1580]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Century 1580]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 : to move erratically : flit

*1 : to move erratically : flit

*3 : to come close to reaching or experiencing something —used with with <flirting with disaster>

*3 : to come close to reaching or experiencing something —used with with <flirting with disaster>

==Description==

==Description==

'''Flirting''' is a common form of [[social]] [[interaction]] whereby one [[person]] obliquely indicates a [[romantic]] or [[sexual]] interest towards another. It can consist of [[conversation]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_language body language], or brief [[physical]] [[contact]]. It may be one-sided or reciprocated (encouraged) with [[intentions]] of getting to know that [[person]] on a higher level.

'''Flirting''' is a common form of [[social]] [[interaction]] whereby one [[person]] obliquely indicates a [[romantic]] or [[sexual]] interest towards another. It can consist of [[conversation]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_language body language], or brief [[physical]] [[contact]]. It may be one-sided or reciprocated (encouraged) with [[intentions]] of getting to know that [[person]] on a higher level.

Flirting may involve speaking and [[acting]] in a way that suggests greater [[intimacy]] than is generally considered appropriate to the [[relationship]] (or to the amount of time the two people have known each other), without actually saying or doing anything that breaches any serious [[social]] norms. This may be accomplished by [[communicating]] a sense of playfulness or [[irony]]. Double entendres, with one [[meaning]] more formally appropriate and another more suggestive, may be used.

Flirting may involve speaking and [[acting]] in a way that suggests greater [[intimacy]] than is generally considered appropriate to the [[relationship]] (or to the amount of time the two people have known each other), without actually saying or doing anything that breaches any serious [[social]] norms. This may be accomplished by [[communicating]] a sense of playfulness or [[irony]]. Double entendres, with one [[meaning]] more formally appropriate and another more suggestive, may be used.

While some of the [[subconscious]] signs are [[universal]] across [[cultures]], flirting [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette etiquette] varies significantly across cultures which can lead to misunderstandings. There are [[differences]] in how closely people should stand ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxemics proxemics]), how long to hold eye contact, and so forth.

While some of the [[subconscious]] signs are [[universal]] across [[cultures]], flirting [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette etiquette] varies significantly across cultures which can lead to misunderstandings. There are [[differences]] in how closely people should stand ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxemics proxemics]), how long to hold eye contact, and so forth.

For example, for many western cultures one very common flirting [[strategy]] includes eye contact. In these cultures, it is said that a look can say a million words.[9] However, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_contact eye contact] can have a very [[different]] [[meaning]] in some [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASia Asian] countries and [[Muslim]] countries. In the latter, eye contact is not allowed between [[men]] and [[women]] as it is considered as "adultery of the eyes" according to the [[Islam]]. Men however may stare at Western women in such countries who might get in trouble if returning the glance. This [[act]] may mean that she is [[sexually]] interested instead of just flirting. Furthermore, [[Chinese]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese Japanese] women are not expected to initiate eye contact which would be considered rude and disrespectful.

For example, for many western cultures one very common flirting [[strategy]] includes eye contact. In these cultures, it is said that a look can say a million words.[9] However, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_contact eye contact] can have a very [[different]] [[meaning]] in some [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASia Asian] countries and [[Muslim]] countries. In the latter, eye contact is not allowed between [[men]] and [[women]] as it is considered as "adultery of the eyes" according to the [[Islam]]. Men however may stare at Western women in such countries who might get in trouble if returning the glance. This [[act]] may mean that she is [[sexually]] interested instead of just flirting. Furthermore, [[Chinese]] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese Japanese] women are not expected to initiate eye contact which would be considered rude and disrespectful.

The distance between two people is also important when flirting. People from the "contact cultures" such [[Mediterranean]] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_America Latin American] may feel comfortable with closer distances whereas a British or Northern European person will need more [[space]]. [[Touch]]ing, especially of the hand or arm, is also part of flirting. However, for Muslims, [[physical]] [[contact]] between [[men]] and [[women]], except [[husband]] and [[wife]] or close [[family]], is totally forbidden.

The distance between two people is also important when flirting. People from the "contact cultures" such [[Mediterranean]] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_America Latin American] may feel comfortable with closer distances whereas a British or Northern European person will need more [[space]]. [[Touch]]ing, especially of the hand or arm, is also part of flirting. However, for Muslims, [[physical]] [[contact]] between [[men]] and [[women]], except [[husband]] and [[wife]] or close [[family]], is totally forbidden.

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]