How to Flirt If You're Socially Awkward: A Crash Course for College Students
Are you tired of seeing couples making out left and right, public declarations of love, and constantly feeling like the third wheel? Well, you’re not alone. As we leave hot girl summer behind and enter cuffing season, we might find ourselves wondering whether we want to be on the opposite end of this spectrum. But what if you're one of those people who break into a sweat just thinking about approaching someone you find attractive? We all know that flirting can be nerve-racking. You start talking and find that all your social abilities have flown out the window. Lucky for all of us, we’ve done the research. Here are some tips for us socially awkward folks on how to get your flirt on!
Picture this: you see a hottie across the bar or at your favorite campus spot, but you don’t know how to engage. Up to this point, you may have been okay with any potential romance living rent-free in your head. You might have been happy to daydream for a while and then keep it moving. However, as we reach the holiday months and things begin to slow down, you may be reflecting more and more on your desire for a real connection. Let’s say you’ve done the work on yourself, healed from your past relationships, and have a (slightly) clearer view of how you want the next couple of years of your life and career aspirations to go.
So, you think you’re ready to take the next steps and actually find someone. But what do you do when you want to meet people but you’d rather not talk to anyone? Meeting someone you have a potential crush on can make things very awkward. Maybe you don’t know the right words to say and begin to overthink every small interaction. This can make it nearly impossible for you to be yourself and truly connect with said romantic interest. If this sounds like you, fear not! Here are six tips we’ve gathered that might be able to help!
Embrace your awkwardness! -This is the perfect time to practice self-acceptance. You don’t have to be perfect to make a connection. Just be yourself, and you’ll attract those who appreciate you and weed out the ones who aren’t a good match!
Ask questions and listen! - Being genuinely interested in getting to know your potential crush is important. This includes asking questions, maintaining eye contact, and listening! Active listening makes the conversation flow better and shows that you care about what they have to say.
Find common interests - This is a great way to deepen your connection with someone. Talking about something you both enjoy can make the conversation flow more naturally.
It’s good to be playful! - The goal is to have fun. Smile, laugh, and enjoy yourself. A genuine, friendly smile can disarm even the most intimidating of situations, and a well-timed joke or witty comment can add a layer of humor and make you seem more approachable.
Introduce yourself and start with small talk - Small talk might feel awkward at first, but it's a crucial step to building deeper connections.
Take the pressure off; it doesn’t have to end in marriage - If you start talking to them and find that the reality doesn’t tie into your expectations, then it’s okay to admit it wasn’t a match. This can be a learning experience, lead to a potential friendship, or even a funny story for the group chat.
Good luck to all of you during this cuffing season. Remember to be yourself! We’re all here to find a connection; you don’t have to try so hard to meet someone. At the end of the day, it should be natural. So, put these tips into action, and enjoy the journey, awkward moments and all! And if all else fails, here’s to a hot girl winter.
Strike out,
Julia Melo
Boca Raton
Julia Melo is a content writer for Strike Magazine Boca. Born in Brazil and on the same day as Queen B(eyoncé), this Virgo loves anything art, fashion, and nature related. In her free time you can find her either lost in a good book or hanging out with friends. You can reach her on insta @juliaamelo__ or email juliaamelo99@gmail.com
