Why do people flirt with each other?

Because it brings a smile to our faces, it’s exciting, a possibility of clicking with someone and yes I absolutely do it but I’m in an open marriage.

Flirtation has one end, and that is gaining a sexual favor or at least stimulating the same areas of the brain, thus gaining some bit of excitement.

@hawaii_jake Would you do it if you were in love with someone?

@Dibley yes, only without capitalization.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir
I know I have had this discussion with you before, but I am always fascinated by your community. How did you find such a place to live?

@jackm wait, what community? we live in Brooklyn.

As I cannot read nonverbal cues, I find the whole thing frustrating and irritating. I prefer people to say what they mean and shit-can the head games that not everyone can understand. Flirtation is just baiting someone into inadvertantly commiting sexual harrassment, especially in the workplace. I just pointedly ignore it and prefer to be thought of as a asshole.

They desire to engage in sexual intercourse, one with another.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir
About a month ago you described living in a community of people who all disregard gender and have open relationships. Maybe not a literal community, but a group of people who all know eachother?

Uhhhmmm, is this question not common sense lol? I always wonder why some people think that they are supposed to suppress all human emotion just because they are in a relationship. Newsflash people: It’s OK to like other people when you are taken :) People flirt because when you are attracted to someone, you naturally want to communicate with them. This is like asking why people smile at funny things.

@Dibley – You are cute. ;-)

@Dibley : I doubt it. I was madly in love last spring. (It didn’t last.) And I couldn’t think of anything but him.

@jackm oh. yes. these are my friends and my partner’s friends.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir
How do you find such people? It seems like one rotten person could ruin it for everyone. Or even one jealous person.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir: I’ve always figured sex for an excellent reason for CAPITALIZATION!

People flirt because it’s a safe and healthy way to get the attraction out. It makes someone feel good to know that others find them attractive even if it never goes beyond friendship or even that single meeting.

I don’t flirt when in a relationship. It makes me uncomfortable.
I am however guilty in flirting once in my current relationship. Things were a bit rocky between us and a customer flirted with me. I flirted back. I was flattered by the attention. Will not do it again.
No one says you cannot look at someone and find them attractive, but acting on that is wrong.

@jackm oh well we don’t always sleep with our friends…we find others to sleep with…our friends who are polyamorous do the same…it’s not like we all have sex together…in terms of how we find others to sleep with…we don’t actively look…but if a person comes along and we’re interested in them, it takes the usual path…they’ll just be aware that we’re not going to be with them exclusively…when it’s a person I want both of us to sleep with, I’ve asked in the past…the last person said she was flattered but monogamous…and that was that…

Flirting can be an art…if done, not just with visual cues, but with wit and verbal repartee.

I think people flirt simply to engage in a game of attraction/repulsion which may or may not lead to more. The true art of flirting is in the mere action of the flirtation, not necessarily in what may ensue because of it. In the South, flirtation is the means and end.

But in the UK, if you look too long at a man, he pretty much assumes you want to sleep with him. Which is why I wear sunglasses even in winter. :)

@DarlingRhadamanthus lol

It’s human nature and makes us feel good to play. Even babies do it

I suck at it, so I don’t have a clue! Maybe it is just another human emotion that is “born or bred” into you. Just comes along with living and breathing? guessing

If I was in a serious relationship, I wouldn’t flirt. But, since I’m not I do a little bit of it online. Not very good at it face to face.

@pearls I didn’t know you were single. I guess I assumed you were with someone. Well, it is good to see you friend!

@NUNYA Sure am. Been single for 9 years. Had a few relationships, but didn’t work out. Good to see you and thanks for adding me.

I think flirting comes in two types a happiness generator and the other making you intentions know but the secondary is a more face to face thing. So hard though to distinguish between sometimes !

Crikey you can have a fondness for the 80 old guy with the adorable dog down the round and flirt but not meant in a sexual or come on regard! wow hard thing to get into context sometimes!

My boyfriend is a flirt and we worked together at the time and we flirted. Now I don’t work there anymore, it worries me that he will still flirt. I have asked him if he does and he said a little but not in the way he did with me. I don’t get that. I love him. I want him. Shouldn’t that be enough?

Because i think it shows them that you are interested…its fun too!! :-) and no i would’nt if i was in a serious relationship but sometimes its hard because people sometimes think that you are flirting with them but your really not thats just how you act.

Flirting is a way to test whether the object of your attention is a) available and b) could be potentially attracted to you.

It is to some extent a game that involves less risk than making a serious and bold approach to someone in whom you are interested. If the other party responds favourably, then there is less risk in a more direct and sincere approach. If your attention is not returned in kind, the game-like nature of the process leaves your ego intact and the other party can be pleased that they are attractive, even if they are not, in this case, interested in the flirt.

If you are in a committed relationship, then you have no business flirting unless you would do so if your loved one were right there and would be completely comfortable with your behaviour. If your loved one does not mind, shouldn’t you be concerned that it does not bother them?

@Dr_Lawrence no you shouldn’t – relationships are different from couple to couple.