A question for those on the autism spectrum, do you have a hard time deciphering what flirting looks like?

Flirting and being nice and friendly is almost the same thing. The difference relies in the ultimate intention that person has with you. So, in your case, it is virtually impossible to tell one way or the other. It could be that she only liked your art and was nice and friendly, or that she was attracted to you and used your art to make a move, or both: she likes your art and she likes you. In any case, it doesn’t make any difference at this point because you need to see her again to have more clues to know what she really wants.

I have been in similar situations, but I never entertain any thoughts from a casual encounter like that. If you didn’t exchange numbers or agreed on a time to meet next time, chances are it was just a one-time thing, and you will never coincide again.

That said, I am probably not the best person to interpret a situation like that because I am the least romantic person ever, and unless things are spelled out to me, I usually don’t assume that men are attracted to me just because they are being nice and friendly.

I wouldn’t read too much in to that. Wait at least and see if you run into her again..suggest meeting at Starbucks again a certain time and day..then see how goes. As my Old Pappy used to say, Just run it up the flag pole and see who salutes.

@Nomore_lockout You are funny ;) Is Old Pappy a real person or is it your alter ego?

Well to me it seemed like she implied that she wanted to meet me again at the same exact Starbucks. Pretty much a 100% chance we’re going to talk again.

@rockfan Well, how do you know what time would that be? Unless, you spend there hours and hours.

We both spent 3 hours at Starbucks working, around the same time. And I often visit the same Starbucks on the same day.

@Yeahright Neither, just a sort of trademark comment I use. Actually, my alter ego is Cletus Magee. When I’m making silly posts for the benefit of that Canukian Lumberjack Squeeky Feller, and his Ol’ buddy Stanley B. Uppity. Told them Yankee librals to done git, more ‘n once.

I should add that on occasion flirting has a stronger vibe than just being friendly. You can tell by the intensity of the other person’s look and maintaining eye contact a second too long than considered comfortable in a normal friendly exchange. There are some clues, but again, it’s hard to tell in just one encounter.

@Nomore_lockout Laughing here…

@rockfan O.K. so, chances are you will see her again then. Go with an open mind not expecting anything really. Don’t over think it though or entertain any thoughts…it is not healthy…but again, I wasn’t there and I am not a romantic person.

I agree with @Yeahright. It’s impossible to know from reading the details one way or the other. It sounds like there might be the potential for a connection there, so offer to buy her a coffee next time you see her and strike up a friendly conversation. Maybe it’ll go somewhere?

Sounds like flirting to me, but I’m old and no one has flirted with me in ages. Let us know how this goes!

When a woman is nice and friendly and talks to people with a big smile on her face, it can be read in the wrong way. In my experience, men in general tend to do that. Oftentimes, they misread friendliness with flirtation. Since I was a teenager and started to understand the power of attraction girls had, I learned to be careful and not be overly nice with some type of guys, so that they don’t take my friendliness as flirtation. A lot of times, that stops me from being myself and being open and warm. So, when I am on the other end and a guy is being really nice to me, I am careful not to mistake niceness with flirtation. I take his words and smiles at face value and don’t add or read too much into it unless I have concrete bases to believe otherwise. I prefer not to make too much of it and not create false expectations in my head.

In this case, I don’t think that being friendly and complimenting his art skills alone qualifies as flirtation.

Yes, women should be careful. Some guys have big heads and overinflated egos, and think they are Gods gift to the female world. Not saying the OP is like that, I just advise him to be cautious. Be cool, play it by ear, but don’t scare her off or be over exuberant. I have had a few buds like that. A woman smiles at them, they get all oooh, she wants me. She wants me bad. Get a grip sparky. Take a cold shower and look at yourself in the mirror. Lol

@Nomore_lockout Says who? You, Old Pappy or Cletus Magee?

LOL Old Pappy and Cletus Magee. Watch them dang yankeefied libril boys, thanks they kin swoop you off you feet, then put ya to work cooking that possum. Go to talkin’ sochlized medicine, we don’t need none. J.B. Bigbux done let Virgil set a spell nigh on 5 minutes, when he cut off his thumb down to the saw mill last week, So there.

^ LOL

As a woman it does sound like she could be interested. Letting her make the moves is smart though, either way. At some point it should become obvious in a few meetings, then you can ask her on a real dinner date and know for sure. :)
Good luck!!

Based on personal experience I don’t think men need to be in the autisim spectrum to be confused about flirting.

“Normal” guys get it wrong all the time.

@JLoon ”’Normal’ guys get it wrong all the time.”

I can vouch for this. I’ve been oblivious to women flirting with me who later told me they were being “so obvious!” Every woman is different (women are all just people after all), and there is a high degree of variability in flirtation. If you’re respectful and engaging you’ll have right mindset and you just may make a romantic connection with her.

@chyna no one has flirted with me in ages.

But…but I tried!