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Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) were wondering, like most of the rest of the world, how to score with men and women.
So, being scientists, they did what scientists do and teamed up with other scientsts to conduct a study to find out the answers.
Kennair and other NTNU scientists teamed up with researchers from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and State University of New York at Oswego to study flirting, both in Norway as well as in the United States.
The first thing these eggheads had to determine was, what actually constitutes flirting.
“Flirting involves different signals that people send to each other. It’s done to attract potential partners. Men and women both flirt to get the attention of a desired partner, and perhaps to achieve a sexual or romantic result from it,” said Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, professor of psychology at NTNU’s Department of Psychology.
T. Joel Wade, a Presidential Professor of Psychology at Bucknell University, added, “Flirting can be done verbally as well as non-verbally.”
The type of flirting also varies depending on what the person doing the flirting is looking for at the time, according to the study published in Sage Journals.
Do they want a short-term relationship (AKA a one-night stand), or are they seeking something more long term?
“People consider signals that you’re sexually available to be the most effective for women who are looking for a short-term relationship,” said Kennair.
That means simple signs of affection like hugging or a kiss on the cheek aren’t going to get the job done.
“Women who just want a short-lived fling from flirting need to signalize this clearly to the potential partner,” Norwegian SciTech News explains.
Now, if you are looking for a more long-term relationship, Professor Mons Bendixen of NTNU said you should show “signs of generosity and a willingness to commit works best for men who are looking for a long-term relationship.”
“What’s most effective depends on your gender and whether the purpose of the flirtation is a long-term or short-term relationship,” Kennair explained in a statement.
“Smiling and eye contact are important,” he added.
However, the most effective flirting technique of them all is humor.
“People think that humor, or being able to make another person laugh, is most effective for men who are looking for a long-term relationship,” said Kennair.
“It’s least effective for women who are looking for a one-night stand. But laughing or giggling at the other person’s jokes is an effective flirtation tactic for both sexes.”
And now you know. Go get ’em, tiger.