'girl you're beautiful, you're probably perfect, but i bet somebody's already told you that' ~lookin for a good time (lady antebellum)

ok here's the deal: i need to learn how to flirt.

the story: i'm at a party this weekend. i've actually brushed my hair and put on clothes other than sweatpants for the first time in 2 weeks and made an effort to apply mascara (oh hey final exams). i'm talking to my girlfriends and turn away for a hot second. a boy comes up to me and tells me he thinks i'm cute. i have no idea what to do. he walks away never to be seen or heard from again. a bajillion things run through my mind: did that really just happen? that NEVER happens! was it a joke? it must've been a dare or something. wait, was he serious? WHY DIDN'T I SAY ANYTHING!!?!?!??! what is wrong with me? fail caits. fail.

background information: for those of you who know me, i'm fairly quiet until i get to know you. talking makes me uncomfortable unless i am well acquainted with those i'm conversing with. when i get nervous or am put into a situation in which i am uncomfortable, i shut down. i don't like attention - i like observing. i write; i do not orate. when i do speak, i'm generally rather awkward. luckily once i get comfortable my quirky, smart-assed self sometimes decides to show, but until then i'm kinda socially-inept [and even after my like-ability is somewhat questionable]. this is true ESPECIALLY if i'm interested in whomever i'm interacting with. as a general rule: if i see you across the room and i think i might want to get to know you, i will avoid eye contact. if you come over because you know my friend and start talking, i will make a conscious effort to remain out of the conversation. seem counter-productive? it is.

essentially: the spoken word is not my forte. and neither is talking with boys. ironically, i work at hooters, which requires that i actually talk to folks. however, if you flirt there you'll be asked out - or even proposed to - quicker than ice cream melts on a summer day in downtown memphis, so i've actually mastered the art of NOT flirting. in fact, i've been told more than once that i exude the 'f*ck-off' vibe. i should probably work on that.

in conclusion: i need to learn how to be more approachable. more specifically, if i am approached and i am genuinely interested, i need to learn how to show that i'm interested. whoa. this is gettin scary.

the plan: i'm thinking that smiling is essential, as is eye contact. after watching my flop of a friday night, one of my girlfriends decided it was necessary to actually set up a list of steps for me to follow, which i've provided (verbatim) below:
1. engage in eye contact
2. find common interests
3. continue being the smart ass adorable girl you are
4. find something to laugh about - girls who laugh seem more chill less crazy
5. make physical contact: a brush on the arm, a light, flirty punch
[hebba gets credit for all of this]

the goal: implement some (all is a little ambitious for the first go-round) of these. wish me luck? and give me suggestions...