Posts tagged ‘relationships’
Some Flirting Best Practices!
International Flirting Week is about to end. In fact, today’s the last day! Make the most of it by – what else – flirting! Here are some best practices that will help along the way:
• Men and women agree appropriate compliments and subtle touches are the best way to flirt. However, coming on too strong and invading personal space is the biggest flirting turn-off.
• Men are more likely to prefer sexual flirting such as a suggestive look, whereas women appreciate good manners such as holding a door open.
• Women are more likely to be put off by someone who comes across as overly sexual; while men are twice as likely to be turned-off by a corny pick-up line.
• Women use text messages to flirt more regularly than men.
• For both genders, a phone call is the least common channel for flirtation.
• Most people believe regular flirting is more important than marking special occasions with grand gestures.
Photo via Flickr. Creative Commons license, attribution no derivs.
Flirting: the first step on your romantic journey
Written by Jean Smith, flirting expert and social anthropologist
People are looking for love and romance in their lives, but are often stuck on how to get it. Being proactive, getting out there, meeting people and being open is much more effective than sitting back and waiting for the man or woman or your dreams to sweep you off your feet. Ok, so you’re out there – now what? Flirt!
Here are 10 scientifically proven ways to meet your partner and find love.
1) Make a good first impression. Studies have shown it takes only a few seconds to make a first impression. Upon first meeting us, people pick up clues about us both consciously and subconsciously. They only know what we tell them, so project yourself in the way you’d like to be perceived. Follow these tips and techniques to make sure yours is a good one!
2) Be confident. People are attracted to confidence. The good news is that even if you are not feeling confident on the inside, you can always fake it on the outside the outside by standing tall with your head held high. Soon, these physiological indicators for confidence might just make you believe it yourself.
3) Like yourself. If, as the most important person in your world, you don’t like yourself, how can you expect anyone else to?
4) Smile. Smiles are easy to give and powerful to receive. Even when they are fake, the action of smiling produces oxytocin in the brain, promoting feelings of happiness. Besides, everyone looks more approachable, and like someone we would like to be around, when they smile.
5) Eye Contact. It is the most powerful flirting tool. In my research, it was the number one sign that made people understand when someone was flirting. The glances were more frequent, more intense, and lasted for longer. Women take note: it takes the average guy three looks before he begins to understand your interest.
6) Touch. When used appropriately, touch can be very effective in flirting. As a general rule, shoulders and higher up on the arm are considered ‘safe’ areas, as we move down the arm towards the hand, touch becomes more intimate. A light tap on the hand might be the perfect flirting tool for you to try.
7) Don’t be so quick to judge potential partners. Yes, looks are important, but how often have you started speaking with someone you weren’t initially attracted to, and they became a Greek god, before your very eyes! There is more to you than just your looks, just as there is more to others’ than their outside shell. Find out what is on the inside before you make your decision.
8) We all like to be feel special. It’s not all about you! Change your ‘me’ centred world to one of ‘other’ and feel the pressure and self-consciousness melt away. Make the other person your first priority. Focus less on yourself and how you are feeling and put your attention on the other person.
9) Take the ‘reject’ out of rejection. Rejection isn’t about you, it’s about the situation of the other person. Maybe they are tired, married, or you’re just not their type. The good news is that you are a million other people’s type … so go flirt with them!
10) Flirting is fun! Don’t look at flirting as something you are forced to do – flirting is a fun way to pass the time. Keep in light, fun, and pressure free. The only losers are those who don’t try…
About the author: Jean Smith aims to empower individuals in her personal one-on-one coaching sessions and public Flirtology Seminars, as well as Jean’s Flirting and Walking Tours of London. Both the personal coaching and the events combine Jean’s extensive knowledge of human behaviour and interaction with confidence-building and social skill acquisition techniques.
Kissing Frogs on V Day?
70.8% of men and 67.9% of women would actually kiss a frog if it meant they’d find true love. Well the good news is you don’t have to. Not when you can find your true love on Zoosk.
We wish you love and luck in your search for a Valentine. <3 Happy Zoosking!
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A Valentine’s Day Message from Zoosk
Happy V-Day!
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Zoosk’s Guide to Flirting Like a Pro
Flirting is the playful art of catching someone’s eye. It can be done with a simple smile and show of receptiveness through open, positive body language. Opportunities to meet an appealing person are often fleeting, and if you don’t go for it, you’re left only with regret. So, seize the flirting moment if you see someone who looks interesting!
FLIRTING DOS:
*Be a good listener – silence can be sexy.
When you engage in discussion with someone, gaps in a conversation are natural. Don’t try to constantly fill them. Give the other person a chance to talk. Don’t get nervous that the conversation may not flow right away. Some people take time to warm up to someone new, as we will discuss later. Additionally, if you can be a good listener, that is so appreciated. Everyone likes to feel that someone is genuinely focused on them and taking in their every word.
*Have a prop – i.e. a cute dog can help attract someone.
A prop could be anything that catches someone’s eye and invites comment….ideally positive.
Other than a cute dog, examples of props include articles of clothing or accessories. Consider the following. You work out at a gym three times/week or jog in your neighborhood or go rock climbing on the weekend. Instead of your usual sweatshirt, what about wearing a t-shirt with a striking saying or logo? It could be something funny, could be from your alma mater, or potentially your favorite rock group or Broadway show. It offers the perfect conversation opener for someone who sees it.
If you’re going out some place more formal, another type of prop would be an interesting pin, hat, colorful tie or scarf. Again, it’s an item that someone may notice and approach you to comment on. In turn, you may do the same if you see someone wearing something that grabs you.
*Make direct eye contact.
The key to flirting is to make sure you connect with the other person. If you are on the shy side, it’s easy to think that you have caught someone’s eye, when in fact, they are oblivious to your overtures. You want to look someone straight in the eye, look away, and look back, so that you’ve connected more than once, and you’ve made it clear that you are looking at them. Don’t stare….just catch their glance in a friendly manner.
*Smile and exhibit positive, open body language.
Once you have made direct eye contact with someone, you want to smile and look like you’re receptive to meeting them. This is done by maintaining open body language. For example, you don’t want to stand with your arms crossed. If it helps to hold something, buy a drink or grab a glass of water, and keep it in one hand. If your arms are crossed, you’re closing yourself off and may look stiff. When you are talking to someone, lean toward them. It shows you are not afraid to get close….though not too close….unless you’re looking for a fling and want to get touchy-feely.
*Pay a compliment, make someone laugh, or ask a question when initiating a conversation.
Aside from commenting on someone’s “prop,” other approaches are to pay a compliment, make someone laugh or ask a question. If you’re paying a compliment, you want to keep it “clean.” The goal isn’t to embarrass someone, but make them feel good about themselves. To make someone laugh, you don’t want to be offensive, and humor can be very subjective. No dirty joke telling, until you know if it’s their style.
Asking a question is the most neutral and natural way to go, as long as you don’t get overly personal right away. For example, if you’re at a neighborhood happy hour at a restaurant you frequent, you can approach someone by asking if they live nearby and what their favorite local restaurants are. If you’re in a gym, you can ask how to use a particular weight machine. It is flattering to be asked to share your knowledge, and this can be the equivalent of paying a compliment because the other person will feel that you consider them worthy of offering instruction.
FLIRTING DON’TS:
*Don’t get overly touchy.
There’s a fine line between flirting and sexual harassment. You don’t want to get overly touchy with a stranger or invade someone’s personal space. When approaching someone, stay a comfortable distance from their face and don’t touch their body in an inappropriate manner. It can a person someone or at the very least, turn them off. Along with this comes understanding when to take no for an answer. It’s important to hear someone loud ‘n clear and not dismiss their response, if they aren’t reacting positively. Don’t take it personally. They don’t know you, so who knows what their reasoning is?
*Don’t force yourself to go out if you’re in a bad mood (unless you’re always in a bad mood).
While you might feel like you need to go out as much as possible to try to meet someone, there’s no point if you’re not mentally up to it. Now, you might say, “I’m never really up to it”. And, I would understand, because it’s not always easy putting yourself out there, especially after a hard day at the office. Transitioning from work to play doesn’t come naturally to everyone. If you’re burnt out and really want to go home and chill, do it. Just don’t give into yourself constantly, because you may never go out.
*Don’t be afraid to laugh….it’s attractive…and contagious.
If you’re out with friends, don’t be afraid to show you’re having a good time. If you come across as a fun-loving person, that will suggest you’re someone who likes to enjoy themselves, appreciates friends, and welcomes the opportunity for a good laugh. You know how to let you hair down and sharing that zest for life is something you’d love to do with the right person.
*Don’t look around for other prospects when you’re talking to someone.
The kiss of death for a potential love interest is for them to catch your wandering eye. You’ve flirted your heart out and connected with someone….don’t blow it by overtly checking out others around the room. If you think he won’t notice your distraction, you’re wrong. Focus on talking to the person in front of you, as opposed to wondering who else is there. The grass isn’t always greener.
*Don’t go searching for a pen or piece of paper if you meet someone.
One of the best ways to lose an opportunity to get someone’s number or give out yours is to be ill-prepared. Always have a business or personal calling card available. If you’re scrounging around for paper, a pen or even a napkin to write on, it can become embarrassing and kill the moment. Plus, you may prefer to be subtle in a crowd when you give out your number, and having a card is the most discreet way to pass on your information. If you’re not certain you want to give out your home number, consider your cell number. Additionally, you might want to create an e-mail account for socializing purposes, so that you can also give out that e-mail address. I caution you, however, not to get too personal if you e-mail each other. Use e-mail just as a means to arrange a date. Don’t rely on it initially as a big information sharing vehicle. It is way premature to take that approach. The same holds true for the phone. Try not to talk for hours on end before you’ve had a date. You might think that’s indicative of a heartfelt connection, but that’s not necessarily true. It takes time to be certain of that, and in the interim, it is more hurtful to grow attached to someone before you’ve spent quality time in-person and can see if the connection is there.
About the author: Robin Gorman Newman, “The Love Coach”, and author of How to Marry a Mensch and Meet a Mensch in New York has been seen on “The Today Show,” CNN, “Good Day New York” and has done hundreds of television and radio interviews worldwide. She’s been featured as a relationship guru in The NY Times, Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan, Newsday, among many other books, print, online publications and blogs. Robin, founder,www.LoveCoach.com, offers private consults to singles and has spoken at such venues as Canyon Ranch, Greenhouse Spa, 92St Y, Mohonk Mountain House, New School, Macy’s Herald Square, and even Off-Broadway. She is the founder of International Flirting Week.
Photo via Flickr.
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Happy International Flirting Week!
In celebration of International Flirting Week (February 13-19, 2013) and Valentine’s Day, Zoosk conducted a survey among more than 13,000 of our members around the world to gather their thoughts on flirting – why they do it, how they do it, and who does it best.
Says Robin Gorman Newman, founder of International Flirting Week: “As the Zoosk survey shows, many view flirting as fun even if they don’t want to date the person, but it’s also a way to jumpstart a relationship or rekindle romance. In our busy lives, flirting can be a quick and effective way to remind your mate that you love and are excited by them.”
So what did our survey discover? Well, here’s what we found out!
It’s a battle of the sexes!
- The majority of men (60%) think that women are the biggest flirts, and the majority of women (53%) think that men are more flirtatious!
#1 reason why people flirt? It’s fun.
- 41% of men and women around the world say, “flirting is just playful fun!”
- 20% say is it a good ice breaker when dating, although only 11% say they flirt to attract a partner.
- 18% say flirting helps keep the romance alive in a relationship
Both men and women admit to flirting just for fun.
- More than half of men (54%) will flirt with a woman even if he is not interested in pursuing a relationship with her.
- 41% of women will flirt with a man even if she is not interested in pursuing a relationship with him.
Flirting keeps the romance alive.
- 89% of men and women think that it is important to flirt with your significant other even when in an established relationship.
Biggest turn-off when it comes to flirting?
- 32% say coming on too strong and invading personal space are the biggest turn offs.
- 20% say corny pick up lines are a turn off.
- 20% say inappropriate comments about one’s physical appearance.
- 7% say suggestive body language.
We all know it and they admit it: Italians are flirts!
- 97% of Italian men consider themselves a flirt, but American men are not too far behind at 76%.
Want to celebrate International Flirting Week? Flirt with someone today on Zoosk!
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Congratulations Jessica and Frank from Zoosk!
Our Zoosk success story this week was sent to us by Jessica and Frank, who met and fell in love on Zoosk. Let’s congratulate the happy couple! Jessica wrote to share their success story:
My name is Jessica and I met the man of my dreams on Zoosk. Frank and I met in June 2010 and we will be married on April 13, 2013 Since we have met our lives have blossomed into something truly unique and beautiful. I have 2 sons and he has 3 sons and together we have our own little football team. We’ve set goals and accomplished many of those together.
Zoosk wishes Jessica and Frank all the very best!
Do you have a Zoosk success story to share? Send it to success [at] zoosk [dot] com and we’d love to share it here on our blog. Happy Zoosking!
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Love Song of the Week: I Feel Good
Reggae is the theme of this week’s love song of the week! We’re jammin’ to Beres Hammond “I Feel Good” and we hope you like jammin’ too. Happy Zoosking!
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The exercise of love
There’s a common notion that when people get into relationships, they proverbially let themselves go. Well, according to a recent survey Zoosk conducted in Canada, that’s simply not true. Our survey showed that 59% of coupled-up Canadians are planning to work out this year primarily because they want to impress their partner. Women especially.
Is working out your body – and your relationship issues – one of your goals in 2013? Check out our article about apply boot camp rules to your relationship and whipping it back into shape.
Photo via Flickr. Creative Commons license, Attribution No Derivs.
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Love Song of the Week: Man Like That
This week’s love song of the week is by the beautiful Gin Wigmore, “Man Like That”. Isn’t she cute?? Happy Zoosking!
Zoosk has received heart-warming letters from couples from all over the world have found love on Zoosk. We are proud to share 
