Flirting is fun and exciting, but it can also have negative consequences. So it’s important to know when is best to avoid flirting.
One of the main ways to tell if someone is flirting with you is through their body language. It can be very subtle, but if you see it happening, don’t let it continue.
1. If You’re Not Interested
If you are not interested in the person who is flirting with you, it is best to avoid flirting. This may seem counterintuitive, but it is a good idea to avoid flirting because it can cause a lot of tension and frustration.
When someone is flirting with you, they are probably trying to get your attention and make themselves look good to you. This is called “wishful thinking.”
But sometimes people can’t help themselves and they end up with the wrong impression about someone. For example, they might think that they have a specific type and refuse to go outside of that category.
This might sound like a silly reason to not go after someone, but it is actually a very common one. If you’re not interested in the person who is flirting, it’s important to tell them right away.
2. If You’re a Friend
There are times when it’s best to avoid flirting with someone. This is particularly true if you are a friend who has feelings for another person.
It’s important to respect your friends and their sense of what’s best for them. You don’t want to press them into romance, as that can make them feel uncomfortable or cause them to walk away from the friendship altogether.
A good friend will be attentive to your needs and wants and try to get to know you as a person. This can include making plans with a family member or bonding over meaningful experiences together.
They may also come close to you and talk to you on a regular basis, even when surrounded by others. This is an obvious sign that they like you.
3. If You’re a Coworker
If you are a coworker, it’s best to avoid flirting if it’s making other people uncomfortable. Moreover, flirting can lead to harassment issues if it becomes inappropriate.
A little light flirting is harmless and can help relieve stress in the workplace, but if it becomes too aggressive, it could turn into sexual harassment. In addition, if it is interpreted as harassment, you could be fired from your job.
To avoid this, keep your office talks professional and business-related. Also, avoid talking about personal topics during breaks and office parties.
You can tell if a coworker is flirting by watching how they interact with you. For example, if they talk too closely to you or make comments about your appearance, these could be signs of flirting.
4. If You’re a Stranger
While flirting may be fun and lighthearted, it can also have negative consequences if it’s used to push someone into a relationship. This is because the goal of flirting can be a way for people to get to know each other in the hopes that they might find love.
The research suggests that if you’re a stranger, it is best to avoid flirting unless you have some form of interest in the person. Hall and Xing’s study found that those who believed they were flirtatious were more likely to make early attempts at eye contact, which indicates they are interested in the other person.
Another helpful tip if you’re a stranger is to watch the other person’s body language and facial expressions. This will help you determine whether or not they are open to getting to know you and whether or not they might be interested in more intimate interactions with you.