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

Ok, you didn't hear it from me, a nod's as good as a wink....

I have a friend who swears that if you look at a girl's lips while she's talking to you she'll melt in your arms. Of course he's divorced three times so perhaps it works either too well or not at all.

Personally I think humour is the key. Within reason, of course, something subtle and clever. I don't suggest *whoopee* cushions and a big red clown nose, for instance.

That and being a good listener. And being devestatingly handsome. And rich.

Can I ask for some empirical, scientific data on the subject?

Well....all the incredibly handsome, rich fellas I know have no problems flirting. In fact once the other person knows about the money the flirting usually reverses.

Is that close enough?

As to the humour and the lips, well...let's just say they worked for me more times than they didn't. Are you volunteering to be the test group? All you would have to do is flirt without being funny and actually look the girls in the eyes!

ooops, I meant *control group*, not *test*.

I think you hit the nail on the head there...money, I have none so I have no chance!

At least with Midlands girls!

Thank Bob for this place!

Speaking as apparently the only girl here as yet, I would say that if someone stared at my lips the whole time we were talking, I would think they were odd. Or I would misinterpret the direction of their gaze and think they were ogling certain other protrusions, which would offend me.
In my case, I say eye contact is far better, as well as being a good conversationalist, which includes both listening and making an effort to respond in an intelligent manner. Sure, money and physical assets don't hurt, though....

-Rivaine

Considering most listening people even gain most of their understanding of a conversation from lip-reading, especially in this small world environment where most of the folk you'll meet can speak basic their accent/dialect may be indecipherable (I have the distinct disadnvantage of coming from Birmingham, so I assume no-one understands me...so I don't usually speak...)

Sorry - what did he say ?

Oi sed Oim frum Buuuuurmingem!

..but don't have an accent


hmm if someone as to stare at my lips while i ewas talking id get paranoid! i hate my teeth as it is..

There's nothing wrong with your teeth!

compared to the rest of my face prolly not ..but i am concious of them

Oh stoppit with the self deprectaing

Wait till you get your lips round my wonky overbite!

I wasn't

Do you suppose this would have been a successful ploy with Leslie Ash ?

Nope, my eyes aren't big enough to fit them all in!

As a fellow female, I agree that having some one stare at my lips while chatting would make me paranoia personified! The occasional glance at the lips then to he eyes usually signifies that a kiss may be on the way, however it could also mean that not all your lunch made it inside said mouth! Flirting for me is the open body language, someone who really listens and for the duration the object of their affection is all that matters/exists. Eye contact is essential and as things progress the occasional touch of the forearm or leg lets the other know you are interested. Women can play with their hair if long, or necklace, drawing the other's eyes to the neck/chest area. However, having said all that - and amazed that you're all still awake - its never worked for me.... not that I have had much opportunity to to try!

Well, I didn't mean staring at the lips to the exclusion of all else! A certain amount of subtlty is required, with the eyes lingering on the lips when they move from the eyes. It is, as you say a prelude to a kiss and indicates that the male is intrigued with the possiblity.

I cant believe waht your saying about money being the key to successful flirting! wahta terrible wolrd it would be, were it true. to be really really honest here
(which is what the beeb readers are after, since they are gagging for ideas) it is not the moeny but the success that people are drawn to - the girl wants to know - is he still floundering around blaming other people for his situation or has he got himself a happy, balanced and sucessful lifestyle? The\moeny is only an external sign, but really a contented plumber without hnagups and a persisting zest for life is far more appealing to any girl looking for romance than an overworked, angst ridden rich guy who still hold bitter feelings about his past, cant wake up feeling happy and has no real friends or family around him. well that a digression and probably not a very good exmaple - BUT

the key to sucessful flirting is a happy confidence - not money, although it seems like that oftentimes. If I had moeny I wouldnt let people know, Id hardly want a partner who loved my moeny rather than me! How shallow and meaningless can you get???
Good luck to everyone - remeber look for that honest smile!
(on the lips of course)
ps I dont think the guy who mentioned lips meant stare at them all the time - it is a good sign that you are acutally litening! for me when
I m in a noisy place I HAVE to stare at peoples lips cause I cant hear and hence need to lip read. ciao for now.