h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, how the hell would I know? But remembering things people have said, no-one likes a grumpy guts, so smile.

Totally agree...smiling opens a conversation!

Smiles are good.

Eye contact is good too. When the other person is talking, make eye contact and they will register that you are listening and interested.

Listen. You'd be surprised how much of a warm fuzzy people generate when you actually listen to what they are saying. All too often people don't actually listen to what's being said and are simply waiting their turn to speak.

Wit. If you have one, use it. Making people laugh is a great way to break down social barriers. If the best you can do in the funny department is tell a series of "Knock Knock" jokes, don't bother.

Don't Get Carried Away. The best flirts are people who find you, or appear to find you, fun and interesting. What they don't do is ladle on compliments and then go for a snog.

Careful With The Content. Your opening convesation should never be risque until you have had a chance to work out whether this person is interested in you. Flirting and seduction are two different things. The one can lead to the other, sure, but getting them in the wrong order almost never works.

Watch The Body Language. If a person closes up - i.e. folds their arms or crosses their legs - then they are feeling defensive. If, on the other hand, they are open with gestures or become more animated as you talk you're doing well.

Mirroring. Copy the person's body language. Not obviously, but if you can mimic how they hold themselves, what they touch etc then you will send subconcious signals to them that you like them. After you've been doing this for a while, try leading them. Do something subtle, like brushing your hand over your face, and see if they copy you. If they do, and it may take a moment or two to happen, then they are feeling comfortable enough to mirror you and voila! You've made a connection.