I didn't read the whole thread, but one thing I've noticed is that basically any action can become flirting if it's done in a certain way—slow, just a little bit sensual, and while maintaining eye contact with an open, soft expression. For instance something like scratching a shoulder. You can do it fast, no emphasis, strictly because it itches or is some kind of little thing you do when nervous or something, or if you want to let the other person know you're interested you take your time and go into (or remain in) that slow, rather sensual mode. The OP mentioned near the beginning they didn't want it to be too cliche, and I think this can get your writing out of the cliche zone. What I'm thinking of is any kind of absent-minded self-touching, like brushing something off her own shoulder or other body part, absently rubbing a hand along a thigh or down the abdomen, touching her own face gently as if mildly scratching. And the kind of body language/expression that goes with it (that can make anything sensual and romantic) is opening the eyes a bit wider, tilting the head down slightly and looking up under the eyebrows, and softening the face, all of which create a sense of vulnerability and openness. It's the shifting deliberately but subtlely into this soft, vulnerable mode that makes it flirting. If you're irritated with someone you'll do the opposite, every move will be quick, no eye contact, hard expression on the face, eyes more closed off or averted, maybe a slight look of disgust or anger on the face etc.
See the youngsters, flirting like crazy... (and is that socks before marriage or socks in wedlock???)
socks, socks, socks, that's all they ever think about... https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/embed/132914d0-ad07-4cf7-bde6-f21ff9b95599
Excuse me, but us oldies can still flirt you know! Trouble is, we do it the old-fashioned way - a glance across the room, an accidental touch, asking them to get their coat...
our original bump was a spammer and has now gone to the dungeon of digital delight with a ban hammer embedded in his skull
Watch the movie "Flirting" (1992). There's a great scene where the MCs are sitting on a wall a couple feet apart, swinging their legs and not saying anything. Someone comes up, looks at them strangely, and says, "What are you two doing?" "Flirting," she says. The interloper shrugs his shoulders and leaves. The MCs go back to swinging their feet and not saying anything.
Oh goodness, I don't even flirt at all. If I'm interested in a guy, I just talk about stuff and hope he likes it.
My partner and I met online and had a long email relationship before anything else. I slowly increased the steamy level of my gifs via email. This is also safe in 2020. Started with winking gifs and eventually moved up to tasteful erotic gifs in black and white. I'm not sure I even remember how to real life flirt. In high school I asked a boy wearing vampire teeth to bite me... Confidence and smiles, winks and jokes. I honestly didn't spend much time flirting. I zeroed in on my prey and pounced: "Do you like me because I like you". Haven't been in a single relationship with someone who asked me--haha.
Flirting is fun. But I think I'm to the point where I need someone to be direct with me. Like, "hey! You. I like you. Come with me to food." And then we go feast. I also have reached the point where I'm tired and don't have much patience for a lot of the messages some guys have sent me recently. It's all "do you have boobs can I see?" Like, yeah, but what does that have to do with your sight? I don't know your life.
