All aboard the awkward flirt train, ladies and gents.
Now, all the awkwardness ensues with that first glance, some eye contact or a smile you're throwing her way. She notices you, maybe she's shy; smiles sheepishly, blushes and looks away. Maybe she's social, decides to take a chance, and says "Hi!" then continues on her merry way, giggling with the occasional snort or happy dance. Some ladies are awfully suave, but that can change when she finds you to be the guy that throws her for a loop and a few things happen when she realizes this. Whether this lady is a social butterfly or a shy sweetie, you might figure out sooner or later that she might be an awkward flirt.
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All kinds of social media outlets are bursting at the seams with various posts depicting the never-ending woes of being an awkward flirt. But I have a few things to say to the men who are subject to our awkward courtship strategies, and a little something to the ladies.
The first thing, gents...please be patient. Whether she's stumbling over her words in a conversation, says something incredibly weird or doesn't text you because she's afraid she'll bug you when you're busy; give her the time to get comfortable with being around you and talking to you. Trust me, there's nothing inherently wrong with you. She's probably asking advice from friends about what to respond with over a text, running conversation scenarios over and over in her head and more so she doesn't look like she has something wrong with her. I know it sounds crazy but if I could get paid every time I make a fool of myself in front of a cute guy I like, or say something weird or stupid in front of him, I wouldn't have to work anymore! Guys, just get to know her and be sure to tell her more about you too. She doesn't want to be the only one talking!She just has to warm up a little bit, so give her that time and she'll be her complete self in no time. Her complete self might actually be awkward, but it's a different breed and one you might just end up loving.
Also, have a laugh...because some of this sh*t she's saying is funny. I'll admit, I think back to when I stumble on my words or say something weird in a text to a guy I like and I laugh! This isn't meaning to say to laugh at her, just laugh with her. Again, she's just nervous and doesn't want to look like an idiot, but she's accepted she might anyway. If she means to compliment your beard for example and she says something like, "I like your beard, it's like a fuzzy hat for your face!" It's funny and probably a little weird for you, but God knows she'll be thinking, "I could've just stopped after 'I like your beard.'" It'll be something funny you can tell friends when you introduce her to your crowd and vis versa. Not to mention, it makes it easier on her because as long as you're laughing, and not genuinely weirded out, she'll be laughing too and hoping you like her still despite her slip ups.
Please try not to be offended if she forgets something or gets side tracked. This is something I'm especially a pro at. It can be anything from forgetting the topic of a conversation mid-sentence to even forgetting your name within the first couple of days of meeting. Again, I think back on it all and just laugh because I feel ridiculous! Especially when I'm talking to a guy I like, and I hope to heaven he's not offended and losing interest. The reasons we can get side tracked or forget can be caused by an abstract thought (like trying to remember the difference between a pond and a lake), spacing out momentarily looking at your eyes or smile, planning what we want to say next so we don't stumble all over our words in the next sentence, etc. Help a girl out and let those things slide.
Now for the ladies, being an awkward flirt myself, my advice to you is to channel your inner Shia LaBeouf and JUST DO IT. I can't express that enough because you never know what's going to happen until you TRY. You have nothing to lose. If the guy loses interest or doesn't put in the same effort, then what's the point? Be deliberate and be the best you can be. Just be you. Showing the best version of yourself involves putting it out there and not leaving it all up to the guy you like to guess. All of the above statements for the men stays true to you too. Be patient, have a laugh, take things with a grain of salt, and bear with them too. Every man and woman deserves the best they can find, but it requires a little assembly.
In the end, there's a level of insecurity that invariably comes with all of this because she's putting herself out there and making herself vulnerable. You, good sir, as the subject to their flirting, are also putting yourself out there, and you may be just as nervous or even just as awkward. Communicate openly and deliberately, as hard as that sounds. [College Times gives great insight about some of the awkward flirting antics we, as awkward flirts,can all relate to. Enjoy!]
~*Now get out there, and be unapologetically you!*~
