Fabulous flirting

Flirting is fun. But for those of us who can't call ourselves pros, the thought of approaching another person with a persona that oozes self-confidence, simply fills us with dread

The art of flirting doesn't have to be difficult. It's a great confidence-booster, but it doesn't have to involve cliches such as fluttering your eyelashes, touching or sexual advances.

Flirting is about wit, intelligence, banter and intuition. And with practice, this will become a natural instinct that you can use with work colleagues, partners, and people you have just met.

So how do you flirt? The very basis of flirting is routed in eye contact, smiles and close contact. It's a survival instinct - how we make friends, approach strangers and boost relationships with those close to us. So, really, we all have the tools needed to become a great flirt, it is just finding a time and place to put them into practice.

And now you can with the 'Find Your Me-Spot' roadshow. Touring the UK across 13 cities from May, a host of experts will be on hand to empower you to make time for yourself and reinvigorate the fabulous person inside of you that has been hiding for so long.

So whether it's for confidence and flirting, contraception, beauty, or a lifestyle advice on looking and feeling fantastic, Find Your Me-Spot will put you on the right track. And what's more, it's completely free!

A few pointers to set you on the path to a happier, flirtier you:

Eye contact
This is essential and is one of the first signals you can send to someone to know that you are interested, that you want their attention and which denotes you are approachable.

When returned it is a great confidence booster, although don't get disheartened if it doesn't get returned each time. Everyone has different tastes and reactions to other people.

What eye contact means
We are all different. When it comes to a partner, watch for their response. They will either notice you, look away and then take a second look or they may take a third look, which means they have taken an interest, especially if the gaze is held for more than two or three seconds.

How to make eye contact when nervous
It's all about positive thinking. If you tell yourself you are going to fail or that someone will not like you, it will be conveyed in your body language and in turn, how you make eye contact.

Being nervous doesn't mean having to force yourself to make prolonged periods of eye contact - a few small glances sends the same message.

Speed of voice
Reducing the pitch, volume and speed of your voice can give it a more sensual tone. This may take some practice but can add a warmer, more intimate element to a conversation.

More than words
If you find it difficult to flirt face-to-face then text and e-mail can be a starting point. Whether with a long-term love, a new partner or for a spot of friendly banter, words can be used to drop hints, subtly convey feelings and generally set the scene for things to come. It is also a good way to gauge if the person is retuning your advances.

Body language
Understanding body language can work wonders, for both conveying your feelings and working out those of others.

Women are said to have more body language signals than men so if a man is enjoying your flirting advances you may notice that he drops his eyes to your mouth, checks out your body or rests his hand near his crotch.

It's the subtle signals that can lead to a more confident you, ready to make further advances Feeling fabulous and more confident has never been easier. For further information on attending a Find Your Me-Spot roadshow near you and how to start to feel fabulous visit www.findyourmespot.com

This article was contributed by Bayer Schering Pharma

UK.PH.WH.MRN.2010.103
Date of Preparation: April 2010