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Women have told so many stories of when men failed to flirt with them, saying the same cringy pick-up lines or just giving unwanted attention. At this point, many of the pick-up lines have just become jokes and you never know how to respond to them.
But after all, humans are creative and women gathered to tell stories of when a man's flirting technique actually worked on them. Reddit user hungary70 asked "Girls of Reddit, what was the best flirting technique someone did to you?" and nearly 10k people answered. Bored Panda took the best responses and created a list for you to enjoy.
Don't forget to upvote the flirting techniques that you would fall for too and share your experiences in the comments.
All the photos used in this article are just for illustration and are not the actual photos unless stated otherwise in the photo credits.
More info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I started dating the university's lone wolf and was extremely surprised to find how incorrigible a flirt he was. But he didn't speak my native language, he was not from my state and my parents wouldn't have approved of our relationship.
When I told him I didn't want to lead him on, he said we would try our best and if it didn't work out he would take full responsibility for his broken heart and that I need not feel pressured. The feeling of liberation I felt cinched the deal for me. Looking back I am strangely touched by how he, an introvert, had allowed himself to be openly vulnerable in front of me.
After 7 years of a solid relationship (which included 3 years of wearing my parents down to accept him), we got married a couple of months ago.
#2
Not sure if this counts as flirting, but he read my favourite book just so we’d have something in common to talk about
#3
I met my (now) husband while I was in the hospital ... He worked there and I was a frequent patient unfortunately. Anyway, he would bring daffodils to my room. Or apple juice. He "snuck" me extra warm blankets and would sit with me before/after his shift. When I got out, he offered to get groceries and wash my hair. All of it just as a friend. He knew I wasn't interested in dating while going through everything and so he was just THERE. Turns out I happened to like him THERE and we are celebrating our 12th anniversary this year.
#4
I had a boyfriend who was really into working out and martial arts. I asked him to show me a move and he swept my feet out from under me, then caught me and kissed me.
Hottest thing ever
#6
We’d met previously and he was trying to get out of the friend zone quickly . I told him I was too busy to date. He offered to hang out with me while I plowed through a ton of errands including an oil change, getting gas, returning shoes, picking up cleaning, and blowing up balloons for a party. It was so nice to have support of me being me and me doing stuff and it was nice low key no pressure hanging out to get to know each other.
I was so busy that day I forgot to eat lunch and he got me a donut and coffee.
I married him.
#7
He said "I have a riddle for you" then he took my hand and traced a line down the middle of my palm. "This is a river. It is too wide to jump over, do deep to wade across, too fast to swim across, and too long to go around. There is a bunny stuck on one side of it. How does the bunny cross the river?"
After about 10 minutes of me trying to guess the answer I gave up and asked him how the bunny got across the river. He said "who cares? I just wanted to hold your hand!"
#8
I’m British, and I came over to the States on a temporary work visa, to do “one” ski season with Vail Resorts. I was bartending at an on mountain restaurant, and a couple of snowboarders come in and start talking to me. It came up that I was only there for the season, then one of them says “I’ll marry you so you can stay... but we have to go on a date first”.
... we just celebrated our 13 year anniversary, and I’m still in Colorado.
#9
A guy told me that he liked my shoes and asked where I’d gotten them.
We were in a bowling alley.
#10
We were 15. Opening credits of the movie started. He put his arm around me and said “If I’m going to start flirting, I’d better start early.” Been together 23 years!
#11
I was walking on my university campus, tripped and dropped my books. (Heeled sandals, raised sidewalk) He asked me if I was ok, and picked up my books. He then carried my books and walked me to class. We chatted the entire walk, and when we got to my class, he asked for my phone number. I tore off a piece of paper, and wrote it, but without my name. I wanted to see if he was listening when I told him. He listened.
We’ve been married over 20 years. He makes me smile every day.
#12
Not me but my mum. My mum and dad were set up by a friend of theirs. My mum is completely deaf, upon being told this before he met her my dad went out and learnt as much sign language as he could before he met her.... my mum doesn’t know sign language... adorable and hilarious
#13
Last year of college for us. He'd show up after my classes and follow me around everywhere, talking incessantly. When he'd see me on campus he'd run over to say hi.
I would flirt by sometimes picking a little wildflower to give to him when I saw him next that day. He'd wear it in his shirt or behind his ear. We now have 2 sons and he's taught the older one (younger is a baby) to give me little wildflowers when we're out walking together. 😀
#14
When I was 10 I received a love letter from a boy. It contained a flower inside, and at the bottom of the letter he wrote some cheat codes for Mortal Kombat for me. He knew I was always playing that game on my Sega.
#15
We were classmates in college and one morning, I called him on my way to school (I lived over an hour away and we usually called and chatted while I drove) and complained about a headache. When I got to school, he was there with ibuprofen, water, and one of those yogurt parfait thingies.
I also made a comment once about my eyeliner running out, and he brought one to school the next day. Found out from his brother after we started dating that he had spent like an hour at the store asking the makeup employees for the right one since he had no idea what an eyeliner pen was. We've been married for four years now and he's still a total sweetheart
Edit: To clarify to those saying this could be creepy behavior, it definitely could in a different situation. I don't recommend doing this with someone you don't have a good base with. If you like to do nice things for people, don't make it seem like you expect anything in return.
We already had a pretty solid friendship and he was (and still is) honestly the best friend I'd ever had. He never made any advances on me or put any pressure on our relationship. I used to wonder if he was just nice or if he actually liked me, that's how good he was at being chill! I ended up confessing my feelings to him a few months later. I come from an abusive family, so having him be there for me, listen to me, respect my boundaries, etc was mind-blowing. He's been a great partner and I'm very thankful for people like him
#16
Told me at a Halloween party that he had his eye on me. Proceeded to hand me a squishy eyeball
#17
I was in Chicago on business, got a horrible migraine, and had to cancel a meeting with a man I had met with (for work) the day before. I get really bad migraines, really, really bad. After it was over I had to get a bit of food and something to drink, but it was very late and there was no way I would survive any kind of car/cab ride. He was the only person I knew in town, so I sent him a text to see if he knew of anything in my area that would be safe/open that late within walking distance. He drove 30 min across town in the middle of the night to walk me to a 24hr restaurant and buy me dinner. I’ve been with him for 11 years now.
#18
Told me he like to draw and asked for my number so he could send me some examples. Then he freehanded a picture of a moose for me.
#20
I once had a guy walk up to me at a bar and said, “hello, my name is Rob and I’ll be hitting on you tonight; what can I get you to drink”. Silly, playful, and direct. We dated for about eight months.
Edit: For anyone wanting to use this line, he said it in a playful way with a huge smile. 😊
#21
it was my first day in middle school and this kid asked to see my planner, i handed it to him and he flipped to the contact section and left me his name and number. i’ll never forget how smooth he was
#22
We met at a Halloween house party and when I was going to leave he walked me to the room with all the coats which also happened to be a kids room and he asked me “what color crayon would you like to write your phone number with?” I married him. Celebrated 20 years.
#23
He said “i caught feelings for you” and i looked at him confused, but blushing He showed me my screen and that he had caught a Pokémon for me and gave it the nickname “feelings”
We are married and have 2 kids now
#24
Just being genuinely nice. My boyfriend was too shy to flirt with me at first since were only friends, so he texted me saying I looked really nice that day after seeing me, and it was such a simple thing but it really made my day better. And that can let the person know you are interested in them. It doesn’t need to be a big scheme.
#25
I don't know if it's the best but it's definitely the most memorable.
I was at the gym and had been honestly taking things to the extreme for a while and not listening to my body... I suddenly got very dizzy and my sight became white. On the realization that I was about to pass out, I slowly lowered myself down to the floor.
One of the guys working out came swooping in to grab me and prevent my head from hitting the floor. He lay me down and tried to get me to remain conscious, asking me all sorts of questions that required some concentration like what day of the week it is and who is the president.
When he saw that I was okay and recovering, his questions started getting flirty. What's my name, what's my number, now that he's become my knight in shining armor, can he take me out on a date sometime.
It really made me laugh and feel better just by him being so light-hearted about it. He got my number.
#27
Asking me my favourite Lego star wars character. He kind of ruined it though by trying to kiss me two minutes later. Ah, Kindergarten.
HooowlAtTheMoon 3 years ago (edited)
Boys will be held accountable for their actions just like everyone else
Load More Replies...
#28
Years and years ago I worked at florist where the owner illegally hired mostly Mexican girls in the states to learn English(they went to school, but worked for a rate that wasnt even minimum wage). It was super shady, but I loved working with them. We would make up little games to teach me Spanish/them English. Anyway, this Latin guy comes in one day and one of the girls is helping him. He wants to get a bouquet for a girl he likes, so she takes him around the store, showing him what she thinks are the best flowers. She wraps it all up for him and right as he pays, he writes his number on the paper and hand them to her! I was floored, it was so smooth. She was completely unfazed, like oh thats how men are like where Im from, men dont do that here? I was like, uh nope.
#29
Was riding home with the friends group back in 2008. We stopped to drop off the one guy, and I got out to stretch. I mentioned that the stars were so much more visible up there in the mountains and he said, "Yeah, they're really pretty. Wish I had someone to watch em with."
I'm a sucker for corny guys. We got married the next year and are celebrating 12 years this June.
#30
I like sunsets - they're kind of my thing. I photograph them, have sold calendars about them. I just like sunsets. Anyway... I was participating in a medical study, and we were sequestered to our room for 14 days. The guy I liked would send me pictures of the sunset each night, because he didn't want me to miss any.
Edit: To those saying "Marry Him".... I did... and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a big reason why I did.
I didnt say that in my post because it turned out to be a very verbally and emotionally abusive relationship, and I left him in December. I didn't want to turn a beautiful thing into something sad and negative. I don't want to discourage anyone from falling for the sweet gestures. They aren't always attached to a manipulator.
I'm sorry the update isn't entirely the happy one you wanted to hear. Believe me, it's not the one I want to be posting.
#31
He brought me a huge tub of my favourite ice cream flavour after hearing that I was having a bad day.
#32
Made eye contact, asked interesting questions, listened to my answers and responded, he didn't make the conversation about him.
#33
"Hey do you want to help me throw fruit at my friends?" - 16 year old boy at summer camp, holding a bunch of oranges, who wanted to meet me. I was also 16 at the time.
#34
Invited me over to watch Gordon Ramsey anger compilations and make candy bugs
#36
first time i hung out at my current bfs house before we started dating. we were laying on the floor listening to records and he turned to ask me what time it was, i think it was four if i remember. he then said "wow you've been here 4 hours and i haven't kissed you yet?" still makes me smile, and needless to say, it worked very well.
#37
He bought me a giant bag of beef jerky
A few years later he was tossing pebbles at my dorm window with another bag of beef jerky and roses. He was a great boyfriend.
Ended up being a s****y husband though. Will always be in love with the person he was before that, however.
#38
not trying to flirt with me and sending me memes instead. we're still together and I couldn't love him more
#39
In college, my best friend was this guy that I had a flirty friendship with, but we were both dating other people. We lived in the same buildings as each other freshman - junior year, and spent a lot of time together but again, we were with other people.
Freshman year we were watching a movie together and this couple had an epic kiss in the rain, and I offhandedly mentioned I thought it was so romantic. Senior year rolls around and we’re both finally single. We were walking home from a party, it started raining and he just kinda grabbed me and kissed me, and mentioned he thought about what I said any time it rained. We had a very intense relationship for about a year and then it kind of ended in disaster and we haven’t spoken since lol
tl;dr - pay attention to the little details and things the person you’re into likes. Show them you care about them by listening!
#40
He came-up to me and said:
"I was wondering if you could help me. I, um, seem to have lost my Congressional Medal of Honor around here somewhere."
What do you think ?
McPanda 3 years ago
All of these only work if you think the person is attractive. If you find them unattractive to start, then a lot of these end up being creepy to people.
Up All Night 3 years ago
That's it, that's the first rule of flirting. Basically, you have to try, and it either works or not.
Load More Replies...
Pezor Zass 3 years ago
i work in a university and i get to see young people flirt all the time. I once saw a guy call to a woman walking by like 15 feet away. He just called out "EXUSE ME! EXCUSE ME! HOW ARE YOU DOING?" she looked startled and i thought he was going to get an earful or she'd run away. then he yelled "WHAT'S YOUR NAME?" and she, and i still can't believe it, smiled and went over to him. How the hell? and was he just instantly smitten with her or had he yelled out at dozens of women before? is he smooth or a creep? it makes my brain hurt.
Ποιητικό Αίτιο 3 years ago
I have an idea for both boys and girls. Flirt the way you feel. Be smooth or clumsy, anxious or indifferent. If the other person matches, you go well with each other, you won't have to pretend, and you can enjoy yourself and the other in the relationship.
ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah,tell an introvert and depressed that they should flirt as they feel.I am living proof that you shouldn't flirt as you feel
Load More Replies...
AlmightyOne 3 years ago
Here's my go-to way to flirt: just be nice, chat a little, compliment them, and maybe discuss common interests or even random stuff. I'll always fall for someone who feels genuine.
denzoren 3 years ago
These are so cool. I've always been bad at flirting...and when I say bad I mean I can't flirt even if my life depended on it. I'm in my 30s now and it still confuses me how people do it.
BonnyDK 3 years ago
We met through a dating app. One where you are fully vetted for compatibility. Single a long time after a bad divorce but never finding a keeper.. The first date we talked a lot. He walked me to my car and hugged me. It just was so nice and comfortable. Felt like home. He later asked me if I wanted to see a documentary that just came out that I was interested in. He was listening. I said yes and instead of the documentary it was the real person the show was about. Completely blew me away. Something I could have never afforded to do. We saw another person live not long after that. Was wonderful. He was intelligent and a gifted musician. Live music is the best! We dated for some time then married but like some of these stories they are not all happy endings. 2 years later he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Still together but he is on a slow downward spiral loosing abilities one by one. Terminal. Stage 3. Fully infiltrated. I am his caretaker.
JessRS 3 years ago
I'm so sorry that happened to you, I wish you both peace.
Load More Replies... Duchess Raven Waves 3 years ago
We were both super poor kids living in a trailer park. At the beginning of the school year we got "clothing vouchers". We were not a thing at all yet. This man spent his whole clothing allowance on me. Knew my style and size perfectly like he was my twin or something. This was in 2003 when I was 13. We are still together. Always will be.
Shelby Jackson 3 years ago
My ex wasn't very good at flirtin. He was the sweetest. He came up while I was building a display and asked if I'd seen a particular movie and I said no. He walked away and I was really confused. Then he walks back over and asks me if I would like to go see it with him. Lol. After we had dated for about a month he made a label on the label maker that had my first name and his last name. I still have it even though we divorced 3 years ago.
Piet Puk 3 years ago (edited)
I sometimes work as an event photographer and although being an introvert I do use some flirtatiousness to get people to smile and react. I am amazed at how often I get way to much attention back. Married ladies are the worst offenders btw.
Up All Night 3 years ago
Yeah, if you just ask them to smile, it won't be so genuine; you have to compliment them 🤣
Load More Replies...
Sonja Pernille 3 years ago
When I was a student I got a drunk call in the middle of the night from a guy, I'd been flirting with, who told me I had to come outside right now. This is in Norway mid-winter in a fjord, so it's really cold. I got outside and he was sitting on the stair with a friendly cat asking the cat about his name, how old he was and telling him how cute he was. We've been together for almost 13 years and we have two kids and a cat :)
Caffeine72 3 years ago
My ex got me by laughing his ass off and buying me a drink when I destroyed one of his friends who was being a total creep to me.
Amy Broderick 3 years ago
I've known my bf for a couple of years as we work in the same business complex. One day I got up the nerve to ask him out. I asked him for a favor 'I need a man'! I wasn't sure if he was single or not so tried to put him in an awkward situation. He thought I needed to move something heavy and tried to call over the big guy whose office is between us. He was so surprised when he realized I was asking him for a date. He's still my adorable, clueless, sweetie pie
Magicalmarilyn 3 years ago
I used to bar tend so I seen all kinds of flirting and some got down right scary after a few drinks, but mine was really nice. I told a guy I was interested in that I was hungry one night and was sick of bar food. He left and then came back with a home cooked dinner he had done. Well he had me after that and we've been together now for 32 years
Jake Swinson 3 years ago
I found out that a girl watched over 10 hours of YouTube on cars so she could talk to me about mine
ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago
Being attractive and (in some cases) rich makes you a better flirter
Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago
Being rich and attractive don’t help you be a better flirt. They help people receive your flirting better. There’s a difference though. Being rich and attractive help people want to date you even if you aren’t smooth. But most people who are smooth and good at flirting aren’t particularly hot or rich, since they can’t rely on that. They have to be more creative, thus, flirting.
Load More Replies...
McPanda 3 years ago
All of these only work if you think the person is attractive. If you find them unattractive to start, then a lot of these end up being creepy to people.
Up All Night 3 years ago
That's it, that's the first rule of flirting. Basically, you have to try, and it either works or not.
Load More Replies... Pezor Zass 3 years ago
i work in a university and i get to see young people flirt all the time. I once saw a guy call to a woman walking by like 15 feet away. He just called out "EXUSE ME! EXCUSE ME! HOW ARE YOU DOING?" she looked startled and i thought he was going to get an earful or she'd run away. then he yelled "WHAT'S YOUR NAME?" and she, and i still can't believe it, smiled and went over to him. How the hell? and was he just instantly smitten with her or had he yelled out at dozens of women before? is he smooth or a creep? it makes my brain hurt.
Ποιητικό Αίτιο 3 years ago
I have an idea for both boys and girls. Flirt the way you feel. Be smooth or clumsy, anxious or indifferent. If the other person matches, you go well with each other, you won't have to pretend, and you can enjoy yourself and the other in the relationship.
ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah,tell an introvert and depressed that they should flirt as they feel.I am living proof that you shouldn't flirt as you feel
Load More Replies... AlmightyOne 3 years ago
Here's my go-to way to flirt: just be nice, chat a little, compliment them, and maybe discuss common interests or even random stuff. I'll always fall for someone who feels genuine.
denzoren 3 years ago
These are so cool. I've always been bad at flirting...and when I say bad I mean I can't flirt even if my life depended on it. I'm in my 30s now and it still confuses me how people do it.
BonnyDK 3 years ago
We met through a dating app. One where you are fully vetted for compatibility. Single a long time after a bad divorce but never finding a keeper.. The first date we talked a lot. He walked me to my car and hugged me. It just was so nice and comfortable. Felt like home. He later asked me if I wanted to see a documentary that just came out that I was interested in. He was listening. I said yes and instead of the documentary it was the real person the show was about. Completely blew me away. Something I could have never afforded to do. We saw another person live not long after that. Was wonderful. He was intelligent and a gifted musician. Live music is the best! We dated for some time then married but like some of these stories they are not all happy endings. 2 years later he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Still together but he is on a slow downward spiral loosing abilities one by one. Terminal. Stage 3. Fully infiltrated. I am his caretaker.
JessRS 3 years ago
I'm so sorry that happened to you, I wish you both peace.
Load More Replies... Duchess Raven Waves 3 years ago
We were both super poor kids living in a trailer park. At the beginning of the school year we got "clothing vouchers". We were not a thing at all yet. This man spent his whole clothing allowance on me. Knew my style and size perfectly like he was my twin or something. This was in 2003 when I was 13. We are still together. Always will be.
Shelby Jackson 3 years ago
My ex wasn't very good at flirtin. He was the sweetest. He came up while I was building a display and asked if I'd seen a particular movie and I said no. He walked away and I was really confused. Then he walks back over and asks me if I would like to go see it with him. Lol. After we had dated for about a month he made a label on the label maker that had my first name and his last name. I still have it even though we divorced 3 years ago.
Piet Puk 3 years ago (edited)
I sometimes work as an event photographer and although being an introvert I do use some flirtatiousness to get people to smile and react. I am amazed at how often I get way to much attention back. Married ladies are the worst offenders btw.
Up All Night 3 years ago
Yeah, if you just ask them to smile, it won't be so genuine; you have to compliment them 🤣
Load More Replies... Sonja Pernille 3 years ago
When I was a student I got a drunk call in the middle of the night from a guy, I'd been flirting with, who told me I had to come outside right now. This is in Norway mid-winter in a fjord, so it's really cold. I got outside and he was sitting on the stair with a friendly cat asking the cat about his name, how old he was and telling him how cute he was. We've been together for almost 13 years and we have two kids and a cat :)
Caffeine72 3 years ago
My ex got me by laughing his ass off and buying me a drink when I destroyed one of his friends who was being a total creep to me.
Amy Broderick 3 years ago
I've known my bf for a couple of years as we work in the same business complex. One day I got up the nerve to ask him out. I asked him for a favor 'I need a man'! I wasn't sure if he was single or not so tried to put him in an awkward situation. He thought I needed to move something heavy and tried to call over the big guy whose office is between us. He was so surprised when he realized I was asking him for a date. He's still my adorable, clueless, sweetie pie
Magicalmarilyn 3 years ago
I used to bar tend so I seen all kinds of flirting and some got down right scary after a few drinks, but mine was really nice. I told a guy I was interested in that I was hungry one night and was sick of bar food. He left and then came back with a home cooked dinner he had done. Well he had me after that and we've been together now for 32 years
Jake Swinson 3 years ago
I found out that a girl watched over 10 hours of YouTube on cars so she could talk to me about mine
ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago
Being attractive and (in some cases) rich makes you a better flirter
Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago
Being rich and attractive don’t help you be a better flirt. They help people receive your flirting better. There’s a difference though. Being rich and attractive help people want to date you even if you aren’t smooth. But most people who are smooth and good at flirting aren’t particularly hot or rich, since they can’t rely on that. They have to be more creative, thus, flirting.
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