Finally, psychology is focusing on the important things! Researchers at the University of Kansas have been busy interviewing a ton of people about their flirting styles and their dating histories, and they've managed to pretty much solve some of the mysteries of dating.
Dr. Jeffrey Hall not only identified five main styles of flirting (physical, traditional, polite, sincere and playful), he also matched them up with the kinds of relationships those flirts lead to. And—surprise!—he found no difference between male and female flirters of each style.
Read all about the five styles after the jump using our helpful Beverly Hills, 90210examples (the original, of course), and see where you fit in.
• Physical flirts are not afraid to express sexual interest in their targets. These flirters fall headfirst into relationships quickly and have a lot of emotional connection and sexual chemistry. Physical flirters are the Steve Sanders of the dating world.
• Traditional flirts have old-school values. They think that men should pursue women, and male traditional flirters usually get to know a woman as a person before they try to date her. Traditionally flirty women report having a hard time getting men to notice them and are often less flattered by flirting in general
—probably because, by their standards, they can't really flirt. This is a style often used by introverts and Donna Martin.
—probably because, by their standards, they can't really flirt. This is a style often used by introverts and Donna Martin.
• Polite flirts follow all the rules and flirt non-sexually. (What does that even look like?) They are sometimes slow to approach people they are interested in, but once they get into a relationship, those relationships are pretty meaningful. Andrea Zuckerman all the way.
• Sincere flirts want to know how you're doing, really. They have sincere interest in who you are and want to make an emotional connection. This style was only slightly favored by women over men. The relationships of sincere flirts tend to be meaningful and full of emotional oneness. This could be no one but Brandon Walsh.
