Saathiya Does Not Flirt ... Men Flirt With Saathiya.

And generally this consists of her talking at first fairly comfortably then getting a little freaked out and then finally figuring out about 3 hours later (or when told be an observer) that what was going on was definitely 'flirting'. I can recognise flirting a kilometre away if it doesn't involve me, but otherwise I am completely inperceptive, I do generally have to be informed by another impartial observer. A friend (yes, you, Aminah Cantik), said yesterday (or was it this morning aroung 2am?) that she has never seen me flirt and you know, maybe I never have. Not to let anyone who knows me assume I am referring to any particular incident (recent or otherwise): for me flirting is basically getting along verbally with a guy, but all the while assuming there is no way he would ever go for me, wishing at the time he would, and then even later wishing I had of done something.

"I am the impenetrable fortress"

Anywho, I am bored of dissecting my own romantic incompetency, as I am sure everyone is tired of reading about it. It has been pretty well covered, right? Instead I want to figure out how to recognise when someone is flirting with you, here is the pointers I have picked up (yet totally don't really get or understand):

1. Compliments - complimenting the other person seems to be one that is quite important. Whether it is "I really like your shoes" or whatever, this seems to be a good indicator. Although, I would steer clear of the shoe one if you are a guy because in my experience girls receiving such a compliment may tend to think you are uhm... well ... gay.
2. Body language - facing each other, back towards other people, if you are on a couch doing that almost lying down "slumped into the couch" thing so that your head is by their shoulder. These are all things people have used as evidence of flirting.
3. If they ask what you are doing after whatever you are doing at that moment.
4. The old "help me" approach - the old "drive me to my car, so I don't have to walk all alone" trick, or the "can you help me carry [insert relevant heavy object] to my car" approach. Although be aware that this can be subtle as in "oh, no. my car is parked soo...far away, it is so late, if only someone could walk me or drive me to my car. Do you read in the newspaper that some girl was attacked in just this area while walking to her car alone..." and so on.
5. Laughing, smiling, looking at each other.

Umm...are we seeing a pattern? Is it just me or does it seem like flirting is basically what you do with your friends, but then if you do it with a guy you don't know really well suddenly all you will hear is "ooo-hooo, what was all that about, should we leave you alone, we can catch a cab home *nudge, nudge* *wink, wink*".

It is impossible to tell from a list of "if he does this"s and "if she says that"s. Meh. I give up.

Well, while I am here, for all my faithful adelaidian readers: the greatest band ever (okay, ahem, they need some work, but.) is Adult Bookstore. They are playing on Saturday 11th November somewhere in Adelaide. Okay, I don't actually know where or when but you can figure that out for yourself. My favourite is the slug song which I cant yet decide whether to dub "love slug" or "slug love" both are pretty good.

Anywho, gotta run.

Zaathi*