What Type of Flirt Are You?

by Liz Colville

This is not one of those quizzes that you have to take before you can “download” music/cry at how stupid you are for thinking that shit works, as the title suggests, but there is a quiz somewhere in here! According to some research published in the latest version of Communication Quarterly, flirting can be distilled into a kind of “flirting styles inventory” featuring five easy flirting strategies: physical, traditional, polite, sincere, and playful. Wait until Cosmopolitan gets their hands on this, and then wait a bit longer for me to get my hands on what they do with it.

Apparently you can detonate all five strategies at once if you want to. Smiling and glancing are pretty powerful on their own, but it’s important that you “sprinkle in a little conversation” for it to actually be considered flirting. Speaking. Genius.

The researchers found that “those who were strong in the physical, sincere and playful styles” had more success in dating. Being physical and sincere in particular (“I do really want to fuck you right now, I’m serious, I really do” you could say while atop a near-stranger) were successful, leading to “rapid relational escalation of important relationships with more emotional connection and greater physical chemistry.”

“Relational escalation”! Here are the specifics:

•Physical: These often develop relationships quickly, have more sexual chemistry and have a greater emotional connection to partners.

•Traditional: These believe men should make the first move and women should not pursue men. Both sexes tend to be introverted.

•Polite: Less likely to approach a potential partner; aren’t flattered by flirting, but do tend to have meaningful relationships.

•Sincere: Strong emotional connections and sexual chemistry; relationships are typically meaningful.

•Playful: These often flirt with little interest in a long-term romance; find flirting fun and enhancing to self-esteem.

The different types of flirting lead, shockingly, to different types of relational escalation. One escalator may lead to a bedroom; another may lead to a church. One may lead to a deep friendship; another may lead to a hiking trip.

I told you there would be a quiz, and there is: right here. Report back.