Human nature, and the art of flirting

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Oct 7, 2011
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#1
I came across a long retired thread, and it got me thinking about a few things. This quote in particular:

me i ignore all signs, I wait til they chase me down in a highspeed car chase, shoot me with a tranquilizer dart, and hold me at gun point when in wake up in long john silvers for our first fancy dinner date.
(Emphasis mine)

I realize it is joking, to an extent, but what does it take for you men to know you're being flirted with?

I am notoriously poor at reading signals. Sometimes I am being flirted with, and am totally oblivious. Does this have something to do with the whole "Love Languages" thing? Quite possibly. Maybe the way I flirt is indistinguishable from normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill conversation. Probably accurate. I have no idea! From reading a lot, and I mean a lot of threads in this forum, I have noticed that most people find it egregious for a woman to be direct with a man about her feelings. "A lady should wait for the gentleman to tell you he is interested...", or other such sentiments. Is this true for most men? Even the shy, introverted guys?

The guy in the silly quote above apparently needs to be hijacked at gunpoint to become aware of the woman's feelings. Is that how some men perceive things? Are some guys just totally oblivious to signals, like me? What if two totally oblivious signal-readers were somehow flirting with each other. Would they both just end up being frustrated, and give up?

Help a sista out! I enjoy studying human nature, and stuff like this really intrigues me.
 
Jul 25, 2005
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#2
I wouldn't know either Bridget.

Every time I want to speak comfortably with a pretty girl I like, there is this voice in the back of my head that sounds.

"I'm sorry, sir. Flirtation, smooth conversation with women your age, and coupling in general are not in your programing. Instituting appropriate countermeasures."

Yep, I saw this girl I have been intending to ask out yesterday. The setting was perfect. We were near alone, had nowhere to go, and all I could talk about was my stats test before quickly ex filtrating. The conversation was stilted at best. I think I made awkward gestures and tried my best to maintain eye contact (I don't think it worked).

I need to see a shrink, take up a form of substance abuse, or go about self-mortification.
 

HEIsRiSen

Senior Member
Feb 4, 2013
487
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#3
I don't see any problem with a woman getting right to the point about how she feels. (I had to go search the definition for egregious, that word was not in my vocab lol, now it is :D)

I think in a lot of instances, men who claim to be oblivious to a woman's signals are maybe just insecure and find it difficult to believe they would be flirted with (I used to have this mentality). I am sure there are guys out there that just plain don't get the hints though. Yes, there are people who give up the pursuit in frustration because they weren't able to see the signals being given.
 
Jul 25, 2005
2,417
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#4
I wouldn't know either Bridget.

Every time I want to speak comfortably with a pretty girl I like, there is this voice in the back of my head that sounds.

"I'm sorry, sir. Flirtation, smooth conversation with women your age, and coupling in general are not in your programing. Instituting appropriate countermeasures."

Yep, I saw this girl I have been intending to ask out yesterday. The setting was perfect. We were near alone, had nowhere to go, and all I could talk about was my stats test before quickly ex filtrating. The conversation was stilted at best. I think I made awkward gestures and tried my best to maintain eye contact (I don't think it worked).

I need to see a shrink, take up a form of substance abuse, or go about self-mortification.
All of this to say. Flirtation, signals, etc are things I am just bad at. So yeah, with some gents you just need to be obvious and hope they take the bate.

There has to be a middle ground between scaring men off by being overt and being too timid.
 

AAAPlus

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2011
601
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#5
I don't think men are as oblivious as people make them out to be. If a guy is interested in a girl, he'll be looking for signs that she is into him. Any intentional signal of mutual affection will probably not go unnoticed.

There are two places where a problem arises. One, a guy who is really into a girl will often take things that are not signs and interpret them as signs. The second is the topic we're at now. A guy is not interested in a girl, he is not looking for signals, so the signals go unnoticed. It can be really hard for a girl to figure out if the guy is being oblivious because he isn't interested or if he is interested but is trying to play it cool. There is also the somewhat common case where the guy is not interested and does notice the signals, but chooses to act oblivious because he likes the attention.

Now there is a good reason for a girl to not just go out and tell the guy how she feels (besides that she is a lady and deserves to be pursued). The guy is probably oblivious because he isn't interested, but if she makes the first big move, he could be one of those guys who will "take what he can get". That's not a great start to a relationship and it's just asking for trouble.
 
A

arwen83

Guest
#6
I wouldn't know either Bridget.

Every time I want to speak comfortably with a pretty girl I like, there is this voice in the back of my head that sounds.

"I'm sorry, sir. Flirtation, smooth conversation with women your age, and coupling in general are not in your programing. Instituting appropriate countermeasures."

Yep, I saw this girl I have been intending to ask out yesterday. The setting was perfect. We were near alone, had nowhere to go, and all I could talk about was my stats test before quickly ex filtrating. The conversation was stilted at best. I think I made awkward gestures and tried my best to maintain eye contact (I don't think it worked).

I need to see a shrink, take up a form of substance abuse, or go about self-mortification.
Sir, your self-talk will be your undoing.
 
Oct 7, 2011
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#7
It can be really hard for a girl to figure out if the guy is being oblivious because he isn't interested or if he is interested but is trying to play it cool. There is also the somewhat common case where the guy is not interested and does notice the signals, but chooses to act oblivious because he likes the attention.

Now there is a good reason for a girl to not just go out and tell the guy how she feels (besides that she is a lady and deserves to be pursued). The guy is probably oblivious because he isn't interested, but if she makes the first big move, he could be one of those guys who will "take what he can get". That's not a great start to a relationship and it's just asking for trouble.

I read you loud and clear! :) And this is the reason that I most likely will NEVER come out and tell a guy "Hey, guy, I really like you and would like to pursue this friendship further." Girls fear rejection just as much as guys do. I tend to be a direct person in some areas of life, but not in this area, for sure. The way I flirt is to try to be involved in your life, get to know you by reading the stuff you write, asking about your day, that kind of stuff. I can see how this can either not register at all to some fellows, or on the opposite extreme come across as too intrusive. That's why I seek out understanding of what goes through men's heads!

"It can be really hard for a girl to figure out if the guy is being oblivious because he isn't interested or if he is interested but is trying to play it cool." Truer words were never spoken. :)
 
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BarlyGurl

Guest
#8
Can't everyone just be honest AND biblical??
1) God says man pursue woman
SO why can't a man just be honest..."Hi, I noticed you the other day... Would you like to go have coffee with me?"
Woman looks at man... Makes decision... says "okay, when?" or "no, but thank you for asking" and go from there????
I mean surely two people who have ANY real interest in getting to know each other can squeeze in a 15-30 minute beverage conversation in the very NEAR future???? If she says yes... that's a step... if she says no... no reason really matters... it is still NO.
 

Liamson

Senior Member
Feb 3, 2010
3,078
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#9
Its through flirting that I find out if the door is open to the possibility of a relationship.

Flirty Conversations stack like little kids playing LEGO. I place a block and she places a block. If we like the conversation we are building its going to make us laugh and think.

Its there in that brief exchange that I have to keep building but, I look for body language cues. The biggest thing I look for is, whether or not, she is visibly different with me than she is with other people. Is this conversation building effort special for her?

Is she having as much fun as I am?

Are we building something Deep and Meaningful or is it just going to be about current events, food and fashion?

I think when its everything, both people know it. But someone has to say, "Hey I can't do a relationship because of X or I want to keep the conversation going, say over Coffee."
 

Nautilus

Senior Member
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
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#10
I'm a much better flirter than flirtee. I honestly am oblivious to the N-th degree sometimes. I mean I got told a few weeks ago that I could have dated one girl but since I never responded to her flirting I missed out...I was like "There was flirting?" So meh, yeah ladies just smack us with the most obvious hints imaginable, aka just tell us.
 
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BarlyGurl

Guest
#12
I guess it is just me... as it seems all the problems and questions surrounding FLIRTING are because of FLIRTING.
Is he/she interested?
Is he/she just friendly?
Is he/she flirting?
Is he/she having a good time? Does that mean they like me? Or they just like attention?
Does he/she act this way with everyone?
your question added here... infinity.

Don't get me wrong... I am not anti-flirting... I think it is very valuable in building intimacy and romance between two people. Which is my unspoken point of my first response. When flirting is the SPRING BOARD for showing interest... for one or both there is a myriad of emotional issues and subjective interpretations attached that can cause injury to one or both. It seems to me when flirtatiousness operates outside of CHASTE behavior boundaries... the consequences are wounded people and division. It has been pointed out in other threads how... flirty behavior is a marital offense when a married person engages with a person not their mate... and ALL adultery ( at least I can't think of any that wouldn't) begins this way.
So What I am saying... how about considering more carefully that flirty behavior is putting the cart before the horse when men are considering to ask for a woman's time and women should not be casting affections around casually. Don't you men want your wife to be completely faithful to YOU??? I think I am safe saying women sure want that from our husbands. Thus, If you have an expectation of getting the flirts as the requisite for determining whether a man or woman is worth a beverage conversation... or a meal... or the museum... what are you REALLY seeking???
 
Feb 11, 2012
1,358
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#13
I came across a long retired thread, and it got me thinking about a few things. This quote in particular:

(Emphasis mine)

I realize it is joking, to an extent, but what does it take for you men to know you're being flirted with?

I am notoriously poor at reading signals. Sometimes I am being flirted with, and am totally oblivious. Does this have something to do with the whole "Love Languages" thing? Quite possibly. Maybe the way I flirt is indistinguishable from normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill conversation. Probably accurate. I have no idea! From reading a lot, and I mean a lot of threads in this forum, I have noticed that most people find it egregious for a woman to be direct with a man about her feelings. "A lady should wait for the gentleman to tell you he is interested...", or other such sentiments. Is this true for most men? Even the shy, introverted guys?

The guy in the silly quote above apparently needs to be hijacked at gunpoint to become aware of the woman's feelings. Is that how some men perceive things? Are some guys just totally oblivious to signals, like me? What if two totally oblivious signal-readers were somehow flirting with each other. Would they both just end up being frustrated, and give up?

Help a sista out! I enjoy studying human nature, and stuff like this really intrigues me.

I wouldnt fret about what others are doing, or flirting, etc, I would make sure you are in the faith and walking the narrow road with Christ!

The way is narrow indeed!


Those who have ears to hear, throw out all you have learned about saved IN sin, God is calling you out of the system of lies, and stop defending sin!

You say I am not defending sin, you say you have to obey, then you say in another breath, well you can sin a bit and all is well, or that the grace of God covers a struggling convert in his vile sins until God delivers them.

This is lie from the pit, the soul who sin will die, please go back and do your first works, Rev 2-5, seek His mercy as the prodigal son did, and follow Jesus on the narrow path.

Rev 2:5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent.

If you are still in bondage to sin, you need to do this:

Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Then you must crucify your flesh once and for all with Christ, He isn't your provision, you can do it, you have free will:

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Which leads to this:

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Then you obey Jesus from your heart"

Act 5:32 And we are His witnesses of these things. And so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.

And keep obeying from your heart, guarding your heart from the evils and distractions of the world:

1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,
1Jn 2:16 because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.

But if you are still in some form of bondage to sin and disobedience then this awaits:

Eph 5:3 For let fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness not be once named among you, as becomes saints,
Eph 5:4 neither baseness, foolish talking, jesting, which are not becoming, but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 For you know this, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous one (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

The sin stops in repentance, or the heart hardens to sin, Jesus came to set mankind free from the bondages of sin, not in them so His grace can cover them! This grace has something to teach us!

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 teaching us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, righteously and godly, in this present world,

WE must then walk a walk worthy of our calling, not in perfection as you think it is, but by a heart made pure through obedience to the truth, walking in the spirit, and not giving provision for the flesh:

Rom 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die. But if you through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

WE do this out of love, fear and total respect and reverence to an all Holy God, who sent His son to die for all our past sins:

Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

And now are responsible for our actions and behavior, because God doesn't wink at deliberate rebellion to Him, he gives us all a way out:

1Co 10:13 No temptation has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it.
1Co 10:14 Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Jesus didn't obey for you, or take your wrath on the cross or somehow transfer His righteousness to you, because you were told you were born a sinner, and unable to repent, and fall at His feet seeking His mercy!

Jon 3:9 Who knows? He may repent, and God may have pity and turn away from the glow of His anger, so that we do not perish.
Jon 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. And God was compassionate over the evil that He had said to do to them, and He did not do it.

The message is clear, the message is simple, it’s not of our own righteousness, it’s just the right thing to do, because God commands it, the spirit will assist in all things, but the repentance must be through and complete, not to earn anything from God, but to come to self, to end rebellion towards God, and clear the heart to prepare it to receive salvation, thus a new creation, made pure through repentance and faith proven by deeds!

1Pe 1:21 those believing in God through Him, He who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.
1Pe 1:22 Purifying your souls in the obedience of the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned love of the brothers, love one another fervently out of a pure heart,
1Pe 1:23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the living Word of God, and abiding forever.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of men as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls out.

1Pe 1:25 but the Word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the Word preached as gospel to you.

Adding your own conceived notions and false teachings to the pure word of God has dire consequences, get back to the basic gospel according to godliness, handed down to the saints, start a new foundation, built on truth, not on sinking sand coming from all the many reformed and Calvinistic teachings that get mankind saved in their sins, you were born a sinner, you are the Romans wretch, or the big lie from the wolves, Jesus is your substitute and cover, just trust and receive Him and you are saved, but Jesus said this:

Luk 13:3 I tell you, No. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Remember, adding to the word is very dangerous, and the doctrines of Christ must be kept pure an undefiled!

2Jn 1:9 Everyone transgressing and not abiding in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.

Tommy
 
Oct 7, 2011
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#14
Thanks for trying to "help" Tommy. I know you like to try to "help" on a number of threads. For the record, wondering, or "fretting" about things that happen in life is not going to take me off of the narrow path. Maybe you should stop posting so much?
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,994
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#15
Speaking of getting straight to the point... Posts like this (I don't think I have to say which one) are what inspired me to pick my new favorite Bible passages (see signature.) *innocently whistles and exits thread*
 
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NukePooch

Guest
#16
I realize it is joking, to an extent, but what does it take for you men to know you're being flirted with?
For me, it takes someone else at the table to tell me that the waitress (for instance) is flirting with me. My response is usually something like "I don't care. Whatever. I hope she brings me more iced tea."
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,994
4,610
113
#17
For me, it takes someone else at the table to tell me that the waitress (for instance) is flirting with me. My response is usually something like "I don't care. Whatever. I hope she brings me more iced tea."
This is, of course, the reason why so many women flirt with the Infamous Nuke Pooch to begin with... his vast capacity for sensitivity is absolutely mind-bending!!! :D
 
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NukePooch

Guest
#18
This is, of course, the reason why so many women flirt with the Infamous Nuke Pooch to begin with... his vast capacity for sensitivity is absolutely mind-bending!!! :D

Yeah. Wait, whut?