Flirting is the subtle language of romantic interest, a playful dance of words, body language, and gestures. But because it is so subtle, it can also be incredibly confusing. Is that person just being friendly, or are they genuinely interested? Misreading the signals can lead to awkwardness or a missed opportunity for connection. Learning how to spot the most common flirting signs can give you more confidence in your social interactions. I remember trying to decipher these signals myself when I was getting back into dating on platforms like https://www.sofiadate.com/dating-advice/flirting-signs, where understanding intent is everything.

While every person flirts differently, there are some classic verbal and non-verbal cues to look out for.

Non-Verbal Signs: The Body Language

Often, a person’s body will tell you they are interested before their words do.

• Prolonged Eye Contact: A person who is interested will often hold your gaze for a second longer than is typical for a normal conversation. They might look at you, look away, and then quickly look back.
• The "Accidental" Touch: They may find small, seemingly accidental reasons to make physical contact—a light touch on your arm while laughing at your joke, brushing their leg against yours, or gently moving a stray hair from your face.
• Leaning In: When you are talking, do they lean their body in closer to you? This is a subconscious sign that they are engaged and want to close the distance between you.
• Preening or Grooming: They may unconsciously fix their hair, adjust their tie, or smooth their clothes. This is a preening gesture, a subconscious attempt to look their best for you.

Verbal Signs: What They Say and How They Say It

• Giving Compliments: While a friend might compliment your new haircut, a flirtatious compliment is often more personal or specific. Instead of “nice shirt,” they might say, “That color looks amazing on you.”
• Playful Teasing: Light, good-natured teasing about something you’ve said or done is a classic flirting technique. It creates a fun, playful dynamic between you.
• Asking Personal Questions: If they move beyond small talk and start asking you questions about your passions, your dreams, or your life story, it shows a deeper level of interest. They don't just want to talk; they want to get to know you.
• Using "We" or Suggesting Future Plans: They might say things like "we should go there sometime" when you mention a restaurant you like. This is a low-stakes way of testing the waters for a future date.

The key to spotting flirting is to look for a cluster of these signs. A single compliment might just be friendliness. But a compliment combined with prolonged eye contact and a light touch on the arm? That’s almost certainly flirting.