“Ordinary” social interaction encompasses a wide range of different kinds of exchanges, most of which are not flirting (although some especially outgoing people appear to flirt all the time). Think of how many people you interact with on a daily basis in a perfunctory, business-as-usual fashion, putting out just the bare minimum of communication necessary to buy coffee, ask for directions, etc. Also think of situations in which flirtation would probably be quite inappropriate: in deep, intellectual conversations, when requesting a loan, during a job interview, and so on.
Also think of conversations that happen on this site. Pretty dour, a lot of them. About as flirtatious as margarine on Melba toast.
I’ve had a lot of really flirtatious deep, intellectual conversations. Fewer flirtatious loan applications and job interviews, but that seems to leave “purely functional communication” as the sole alternative.
Hm, I guess I was insufficiently specific. I mean, uh, ordinary talking with friends? What would you call it… well, do you see what I’m intending to refer to? :P
Yeah, I see what you mean, and you may be right (depending how you relate to your friends). Even then, though, there are aspects of friendly interactions that don’t carry over to more general flirtation. I’m talking about a mode of conversation you can use with friends and acquaintances and even total strangers. That requires that it stays light and friendly and brief.
I have little idea what concrete distinction you might be getting at. Meanwhile the fact that you characterize it as “more general” suggests you are using the word in a way more general sense than is helpful.
“Ordinary” social interaction encompasses a wide range of different kinds of exchanges, most of which are not flirting (although some especially outgoing people appear to flirt all the time). Think of how many people you interact with on a daily basis in a perfunctory, business-as-usual fashion, putting out just the bare minimum of communication necessary to buy coffee, ask for directions, etc. Also think of situations in which flirtation would probably be quite inappropriate: in deep, intellectual conversations, when requesting a loan, during a job interview, and so on.
Also think of conversations that happen on this site. Pretty dour, a lot of them. About as flirtatious as margarine on Melba toast.
I’ve had a lot of really flirtatious deep, intellectual conversations. Fewer flirtatious loan applications and job interviews, but that seems to leave “purely functional communication” as the sole alternative.
Hm, I guess I was insufficiently specific. I mean, uh, ordinary talking with friends? What would you call it… well, do you see what I’m intending to refer to? :P
Yeah, I see what you mean, and you may be right (depending how you relate to your friends). Even then, though, there are aspects of friendly interactions that don’t carry over to more general flirtation. I’m talking about a mode of conversation you can use with friends and acquaintances and even total strangers. That requires that it stays light and friendly and brief.
I have little idea what concrete distinction you might be getting at. Meanwhile the fact that you characterize it as “more general” suggests you are using the word in a way more general sense than is helpful.