FLIRTATIOUS DEFINITION:inclined to provocative teasing and suggestive attention CATEGORIES:identity, interactive SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:amorous, coquettish, provocative POSSIBLE CAUSES: Having a strong sense of playfulness Being confident in one’s sexuality Feeling a biological need to find a mate and reproduce Having control issues ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Making suggestive comments that can be taken sexually Choosing a target and conveying interest through words and actions Lavishing praise and compliments Leaning in toward another person Entering someone’s personal space Drawing attention to the mouth (licking one’s lips, playful biting a straw, etc.) Offering a suggestive smile Looking people in the eye Laughing in a deep, sensual way Playful joking Being more touchy-feely than normal Speaking in a lower-pitched voice Dressing to attract (sexual) attention Wearing perfume or cologne in hopes that it will be noticed and enjoyed Suggesting a future meeting:We should go to a movie sometime,orYou like Italian? Light teasing Blushing Employing coquettish mannerisms (a darting glance, a shy smile, etc.) Stroking the hair, exposing the throat, pointing one’s body toward the other person Offering lingering touches Asking questions to judge a target’s interest level Furtively looking someone up and down Sharing things (lunch, a locker, one’s personal items, etc.) Asking or answering questions that require honesty and vulnerability Focusing on someone’s physical attributes:I love your dress. It looks…wow. Tilting the head and giving a slight smile Borrowing an item so one will have a reason to return it and see the person again Trading numbers, emails, or contact information Showing confidence (open body posture, chest thrust out, asking brazen questions, etc.) Acting silly and suggestive Enjoying the effect one has on a target Showing an interest in what the other person finds important Touching the lips, neck, or face “Accidentally” bumping into someone to manufacture an opportunity to talk Asking for someone’s help or advice as a way of starting a conversation Acting protective in small ways (walking a date to her car, etc.) Frequent and playful texting ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: I think I’ll just bump into Matt at the bus stop and see what happens. Lori’s finally alone. Now’s a good time to buy her a drink. If I act like I came here with someone, maybe she’ll be jealous. If Bill lets me borrow his jersey for the game, I can swing by his place later to return it. ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:amusement, confidence, desire, embarrassment, excitement, happiness POSITIVE ASPECTS:A bit of flirting can add a sense of fun to social interactions. This level of playfulness brings people closer and encourages everyone not to take things too seriously. When done skillfully, flirting can make others feel important. It is an attractive quality to most people. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Characters who are flirty by nature may not know when to stop flirting, which can cause jealousy to flare. Their actions can easily be misconstrued, making an interested party believe that the flirtatious character’s feelings run deeper than they actually do. Flirts can also take their behavior too far and run the risk of ruining their reputations. EXAMPLE FROM FILM:Jessica Rabbit, the sultry singer fromWho Framed Roger Rabbit,is an iconic bombshell flirt. This animated character has curves and knows how to use them. Exuding confidence, she moves and dresses in a way that draws all male eyes to her assets.Other Examples from Film:Mae Mordabito (A League of their Own), Joan (Mr. Mom) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:callous, catty, cautious, devout, egotistical, innocent, overconfident, oversensitive, proper, sleazy, timid, vindictive CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE FLIRTY CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Being interested in someone who seems immune to one’s flirting PLOTLINE: Having a significant other who flirts with everyone PLOTLINE: Being attracted to someone who is turned off by flirtation PLOTLINE: Having to compete for someone’s attention because of other interested parties