Think of flirting as a gentle nudge rather than a forceful push. It’s like saying, ‘I’m open to connection, and it’s okay for you to be too.’
Flirting doesn’t need to be an ‘all or nothing’ approach. It can be done in small, 1% increments. This means you don’t have to make grand pronouncements or take huge risks right away.
To subtly flirt with a guy, consider focusing on creating a sense of connection, curiosity, and shared experience rather than direct, overt actions.
Ultimately, subtle flirting isn’t just about expressing your interest, it’s also about creating a safe and encouraging space for a man to express his interest back.
If a man is not responding to your advances or is walking away, it may be a sign to stop. If he is flirting back, then your interest is likely welcomed.
1. Eye Contact and Smiling
Eye contact is a potent form of nonverbal communication. It can convey interest, confidence, and even a bit of playfulness.
The key is to make it natural, not an intense stare.
Allow your gaze to linger for a moment longer than usual, and then accompany it with a warm, genuine smile.
This provides subtle encouragement that he is not going to be rejected, which is one of a man’s biggest fears.
2. Asking Curious Questions
By asking questions, the woman is showing that she’s interested in him, not just in being pursued.
It indicates that she is curious about him as a person.
This can encourage him to open up more and share more of himself, which, in turn, can encourage him to be a little more brave.
When you approach a conversation with curiosity, it sends the signal that you’re open to discovering more about the other person.
Curiosity also creates the energy for a back-and-forth, so that the other person can get to know more about you. When you lead with curiosity, you demonstrate respect
3. Offering Genuine Compliments
A genuine compliment can be incredibly encouraging for a man.
It is validating and shows that you’ve noticed something positive about him.
This can be a significant boost to his confidence, and encourage him to continue the connection.
This makes him feel more comfortable expressing himself around you.
4. Commenting on Shared Experiences
By commenting on shared situations, such as the music or the space you are in, you’re providing opportunities to make a connection without forcing a high-pressure scenario.
It creates a low-stakes situation to encourage communication.
These comments can make him feel comfortable enough to initiate a conversation without fear of failure.
5. Using playful humor or teasing
Don’t be afraid to be playful, but don’t play games.
Gentle teasing and humour shows that you are comfortable and not taking yourself too seriously, and invites him to play and engage.
This can make the interaction feel more relaxed, which can help reduce his fear of making the wrong move.
6. Being Vulnerable
Being vulnerable may seem like a counter-intuitive strategy for a woman to try to encourage bravery, as being vulnerable can make a woman feel unsafe.
But if you are brave enough to be vulnerable, you will send the signal that it’s okay for him to drop the pose and be himself, and that he can trust you to see all sides of himself
7. Creating a “Graduation”
One of the most important concepts for a woman to understand is that a relationship can be gradually “graduated”, and that it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing situation.
By taking the relationship one step higher, you can give the man permission to meet you at a new level of intimacy or interaction.
It’s important that you do something small that allows him to take a step forward next, so that you are in a back and forth rhythm.
