Flirting Websites

As more people own computers and have internet access in their homes, they are increasingly turning to the internet for advice about dating, flirting, sex, and relationships.  They may be too embarrassed to talk about these things with friends or family members, or they may not have anyone to talk to at all, so the internet provides a sense of anonymity along with answers.  Which sorts of sites you find useful, however, will depend on what your needs are.

Some flirting websites offer dating services, either for meeting a partner or someone to hook up with.  The intention of such sites is to bring together people seeking real life social interaction, introducing them online, allowing them to e-mail each other to determine whether or not they are well-suited and looking for the same thing.  Other sites have “flirt chat”, which usually consists or dirty talk intended as an aid to masturbation.   In this case, participants usually aren’t looking for any offline interaction, though they may seek to chat with the same person on regular basis.  It’s important to remember with these types of sites that not everyone is who she says she is, so use caution and don’t give out too much personal information.  If you intend to meet the person you are corresponding with, however, don’t lie about yourself or you may find yourself embarrassed and rejected once she finds you out. 

Flirting websites offer advice of varying quality.  There are sites with information from academic studies on flirtation, and other which use a common-sense approach based on experience.  The Social Issues Research Centre has an online guide to flirting that breaks down the basics.  Many people are aware of the basics already, though, and are looking for something more in-depth.  Which type of website you prefer depends on personal choice, but don’t hesitate to look closely into claims that seem suspicious to you.  In these cases, sites with academic sources may be easier to verify. 

There are several websites on flirting that you should avoid.  Some plagiarise most of their material from other, more reputable websites and publications, in some cases copying it word-for-word.  Others use pseudo-science to back up misandrist or misogynist notions of social interaction.  Others will misappropriate and manipulate concepts from evolutionary psychology to explain aspects of current trends in social interaction between men and women.  If a website reads like it views the opposite sex as an alien species or implies that if you only do X, Y, and Z you will succeed in your goal (getting a number, having sex, being admired, getting a date), you should probably look elsewhere. Flirting has similarities across culture and within each gender (most people do prefer others who smile and are friendly and funny), but no one should forget that people are individuals and what one person enjoys, another will not.  There are guidelines you can learn to help you understand the unwritten rules of flirtatious behaviour, but there’s no magic line you can use that will work on every person, and no combination of gestures and physical contact that will achieve your goals every time.  Will this in mind, enjoy exploring all the internet has to offer on the subject!