How Girls Flirt: 22 Signs She’s Flirting More Than Just Being Nice

Flirting is always fun when you meet a girl, but how do you know if she really likes you? Don’t worry, here is the low-down on how girls flirt.

how girls flirt signs she's flirting

Ah, girls. They are such curious, confusing creatures. One moment they’ll melt your heart with kindness, and the next, they’ll leave you slumped on the floor in embarrassment. Just what is it with them? They smile at you and you saw them just bat their eyelashes at you… or were they really? Are they flirting or are they just being nice? Well, wonder no more because here, we give you the answers about how girls flirt.

[Read: How to flirt with girls – 25 secrets to win over any girl in no time]

How girls flirt and the clearest signs she’s flirting with you

We know, it can be hard to decode a woman’s words, much less her body language.

But if you can pay attention to her subtle clues, you might find that she’s actually not all that hard to read after all. Check out these common signs of how girls flirt.

1. Smiling at you

Smiles can be confusing. A smile can just be a simple form of greeting or acknowledging you, so be careful not to always interpret this as flirting.

However, there is that flirty smile—a slow smile that reaches the eyes that gives you a “come hither” look. This kind of smile is an open invitation for you to come over and get to know her. [Read: 15 subtle but flirty moves she wants you to approach her and talk to her]

2. Hair flip

A hair flip is a highly instinctual move that dates back to the earliest humans, and even animals themselves have their own version of this classic move.

Whether women are touching their hair, twirling it, or even flipping it, it’s their way of making you notice them.

3. Lip touch 

There’s something about the way women touch their bodies that can really attract stares from the opposite sex.

One of the most tempting body parts for men can be the lips, so if a woman looks at you and touches her lips or even bites her puckers, it’s a surefire way to know that she means business. [Read: How to kiss a girl for the first time and not screw up]

4. Powder room

If you’re out with a girl, even just a friend or colleague, the way she presents herself to you, however superficial it may seem, is one indicator that she’s into you and wants you to notice. If you’re wondering how girls flirt, pay attention to how she behaves when she’s alone with you.

If she’s flirting or likes you, she’ll excuse herself to the ladies’ room and come back looking fresher than ever, makeup all retouched, smelling great, and maybe even one less button done to show off her best assets. [Read: 16 signs a girl is secretly attracted to you – guaranteed!]

5. “Damsel in distress”

Another surefire way a woman can show that she wants you to notice her is the good ole damsel in distress move.

From asking you for directions to needing help carrying something, this is one way she can try to show you that she wants you to let out your inner knight to save her. This is especially true when she asks you for help, even though she’s obviously very capable of doing it herself. [Read: The damsel in distress and why men find them so irresistible]

6. Girls flirt by getting touchy feely

When you’re out together with a girl, or even if you’ve just met her in a bar, if she can’t keep her hands off you, then you’ve got her in the crosshairs.

Even a small and light touch on your arm, while she listens intently to you, is a huge sign. She might even graze her hands up your biceps to gauge just how fit you are. And when she likes what she’s touching, well, you know what to do. [Read: 30 subtle, flirty, and really naughty things a girl would do to you if she likes you]

7. Fidgety

Being fidgety is another one of the signs of how girls flirt. When a girl likes you, she’ll be much more self-conscious than normal.

She’ll be fidgeting and might even exhibit signs of being uneasy when you’re around. Another fidgety behavior is when she looks at you and then looks away immediately when you catch her gaze.

8. Close up and personal

A girl who likes you and wants to be noticed will want to be near you. She may be fighting for your attention among other girls, and she’ll try her best to draw closer to you.

Even if you’re alone with her, she might lean in closer to you or even whisper in your ear. This is one way of flirting, even if she may not be aware of it herself.

9. Lively banter

So you guys strike a conversation. She’s all uppity and cheerful—a great sign that she’s happy you two are talking. A woman who likes you and is flirting with you will keep a conversation going as long as it takes, and will be interested in what you have to say.

This is also one of those times when she’ll put her best foot forward with witty retorts and lively banter. [Read: How to keep a conversation going with the opposite sex]

10. Laughing out loud 

If you’re wondering how girls flirt, pay attention to how much she laughs around you. A woman who likes you, and wants you to know that, might laugh out loud at your jokes, even the ones that aren’t really that funny.

It’s probably that they just enjoy your company and they want to compliment you with attention and laughter. After all, if she weren’t interested, she wouldn’t be wasting her time listening to your jokes and pick-up lines. [Read: How to charm a girl and flatter her into liking you]

11. Digging you 

It’s one thing to be nice and just say “hi” to you nonchalantly. It’s another, however, when she says “hi” and then starts a conversation with some questions about what you do or how you are.

If she’s flirting with you, she’ll show interest, or even just feign it. She’s stroking your ego while trying to learn just how compatible you are with each other. This is clearly another example of how girls flirt.

12. Girls flirt with compliments 

You’ll know she’s flirting when she compliments you with even the simplest things. From your hairstyle to your tailored suits and down to the socks she just had a quick peek of, she’ll be gushing about every detail she can find. [Read: How to compliment a girl and make her blush]

13. Girls flirt with Qs and As 

If she’s asking you a whole host of questions, she’s most likely trying to flirt with you. And not just that, she’s trying to see just how much you have in common.

If she asks you if you play sports, for example, she might be trying to show interest in something you like, but she may also be trying to find out if the two of you would likely enjoy going to baseball games together. [Read: 50 relationship questions to test your compatibility instantly]

14. Trying to impress 

Men and women, of course, try to impress the apples of their eyes, whether by grooming, showing off some talents or skills, or just catching their attention.

So as for you, if you want to know how girls flirt, you’ll know she’s flirting with you when she’s trying extra hard to look great, show off her assets *physically or not*, brag about her accomplishments, and just catch your attention in a good way.

15. Futuristic 

She’s definitely flirting with you when she’s coming up with plans for the future.

It may not be an off-the-bat plan for the two of you, but she’ll subtly suggest the possibility of you two going together. For example, after her Q&A, she might mention this band that she knows you like and how there’s going to be a concert.

She might even bluntly ask you what you’re up to over the weekend, or dare you to try something new with her. Anything just to initiate something that is actually a date. [Read: 50 cute things that guys do that girls find sexy and absolutely adore]

16. Initiates communication

When girls like someone, they can hardly help themselves when it comes to communicating with their object of affection. Whether it’s Snapchat, a text, or Instagram, she will try to get your attention by initiating some sort of conversation with you.

Even though traditionally, men are supposed to be the “pursuer” and women are supposed to be the “pursuee,” these days, that’s not necessarily the case.

Some girls do like to chase, and that can include initiating communication with you, because that’s an example of how girls flirt.[Read: How to make girls chase you – 20 ways to win her heart and mind]

17. Girls flirt with emojis

Emojis are a way that all people can express their emotions via the written word. Because let’s face it, there is a difference between “I like you” and “I like you *with a heart, smiley face, or a winky face*.”

The latter is a statement that says a lot more than just a statement without an emoji. [Read: Is she flirting with me or not? 17 quickest signs to read her mind]

If she’s using a lot of emojis when she texts or snaps you, then she is trying to convey emotions to you. Emojis are a great way to show someone that you are flirting with them.

18. Punctuation and grammar

Similar to using emojis, the use of punctuation, such a lot of exclamation points conveys her emotion as well. Think about the difference between “I agree” and “I agreeeeeee!!!!!!” or “I AGREE!!!!!!!!!!”

Those messages are very different. The first one is lukewarm, and possibly uninterested. But the last two say that she has a lot of enthusiasm behind what she is saying. And enthusiasm and flirting go hand-in-hand.

Another thing to look out for is something like “K.” That is low-interest and boring. But “Okay great!!!!” or “K GREAT!!!!” is much better. If you want to know how girls flirt and if she’s dropping hints, keep your eye out for the subtle ways she texts you. [Read: Prolonged eye contact when flirting: what it means and what it does]

19. Teasing and sarcasm

It’s difficult for some people to be serious about conveying their interest. So, instead of coming right out and saying it, girls might resort to teasing you or saying sarcastic things. Sarcasm is saying with words the opposite of what you really mean/feel.

It’s easier to resort to teasing and sarcasm because it’s less risky.

If she says, “Omg you’re so ugly!!” She probably means that you’re hot. Or if she says, “You and your t-shirts … you have funny wardrobe choices! hahaha” it could mean she’s paying attention to what you wear *in a good way*. [Read: The cock tease and how to recognize the flirty games she plays]

20. Nervousness

This may seem counter-intuitive, but if she seems nervous around you, she may really like you. Maybe, in her mind, being shy and a bit awkward is her way of showing you her interest in you … and even a form of flirtation.

When it comes to knowing how girls flirt, you need to remember that not everyone is able to act confident when they are around someone they like, so she could act the opposite of that. [Read: How to tell if a shy girl likes you – All her secrets revealed]

21. Girls flirt with social media reactions

Most people post on social media these days. And it’s usually the people who have an interest in you *whether as a friend or a romantic interest* that will comment and interact with you the most.

So, if you find that she is always one of the first people to comment or interact with you on social media, that means she is paying close attention. People don’t do that unless they like you. And flirting via social media is a safe way to show interest without overtly putting her ego on the line. [Read: 9 screaming signs of Instagram flirting there’s no way you’ll miss]

22. Nicknames

Nicknames are a way to show intimacy with someone. Think about it, if a couple is in a romantic relationship, and the woman says, “Josh, please do this for me!” that is a bit more impersonal than if she says, “Honey bunny, lovely-doodle, will you please do this for me?”

So, if she is giving you little nicknames, she’s probably trying to flirt with you. It could be anything from “stud” to “big guy” … it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that she went from calling you your given birth/legal name to a name that she invented herself. This is a way to show you that she likes you by creating emotional intimacy. [Read: How to pick the right kind of personal pet name to flirt with a girl]

So how do girls flirt?

It can be confusing when it comes to learning how girls flirt. Girls don’t generally make the first move, probably because of how they are conditioned to feel that it’s the guy’s job to initiate flirting.

However, girls have this subtle way of letting you know they are into you and want you to come over and get things started.

Catching your attention and letting you know they’re interested are women’s ways of actually manipulating you into making that darn move.

So when you spot her doing any of the things mentioned above, then it’s your cue to brush up on your moves and go get the girl.

[Read: 15 more body language cues a girl gives away if she likes you]

There are many ways to know how girls flirt with you rather than just plain being nice. By being keen and perceptive enough, you’ll easily spot the difference. The signs above are also great indicators of whether they are likely to want to spark some romance with you or just put you in the friendzone, so pay attention!

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Preeti Tewari Serai
Preeti Serai
Preeti, the founder of LovePanky, is an eternal optimist and believer in the beauty of love and life. With an exhaustive experience in love, relationships, and ...