Key Difference – Flirting vs Friendly
Flirting and friendly are two words between which a key difference can be identified although in both cases the individual behaves in a likable manner. Flirting is behaving in such a way as to attract someone sexually without any serious intentions. On the other hand, friendly is when someone treats another as a friend or else in a kind, pleasant manner. The key difference between flirting and friendly is while flirting attracts another in a sexual manner, being friendly does not result in such attractions. Through this article let us examine the difference in depth.
What is Flirting?
Flirting is behaving as if trying to attract someone sexually but without serious intentions. This is why most believe that flirting is for fun although some flirt due to romantic interests. You may also have flirted with another someone, or else been an object of flirtation of another. When flirting, people tend to use various verbal and nonverbal cues to make their interest known. For instance, smiling, winking are some nonverbal cues.
The person who flirts may even use verbal cues such as expressing his or her pleasure at meeting you, complementing you, etc. However, one has to be extremely cautious when deciding whether a person is flirting or merely being friendly. This is a serious misinterpretation that most people make. For an example, the friendly nature of a woman can be interpreted as flirting by a male.
Psychologists highlight that intention and interpretation are the key features in flirting. Based on the intention of the individual he decides either to be friendly or to flirt. The other person interprets this either as friendliness or flirting and acts accordingly.
A person who engages in flirting is called a flirt. A flirt does not expect any serious relationship or commitment but displays causal interest only. Now let us look at the word friendly.
What does Friendly mean?
Being friendly is treating someone as a friend. It can also be understood as being kind and pleasant. We all enjoy the company of friendly people as it is often a pleasant experience. Being friendly to others is always a nice gesture as it creates a positive image of you in others. However being too friendly and nice to others can be irritating as well because people tend to take advantage of such people.
When you are friendly to others, you have to be careful not to send the wrong message as some people interpret social niceties such as being friendly as flirting. This is where the confusion between being friendly and flirting arises. Hence before behaving in a particular manner think about your actions to avoid and confusion.
What is the difference between Flirting and Friendly?
Definitions of Flirting and Friendly:
Flirting: Flirting is behaving in such a way as to attract someone sexually without any serious intentions.
Friendly: Friendly is when someone treats another as a friend or else in a kind, pleasant manner.
Characteristics of Flirting and Friendly:
Attraction:
Flirting: The nature of attraction is sexual.
Friendly: The nature of attraction is platonic.
Intention:
Flirting: The intention is to make his or her romantic or sexual attraction known.
Friendly: The intention is to be kind and helpful.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Kosovar Albanian children” by Shkumbin Saneja – originally posted to Flickr as Flickr Prizren Tour 3. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
2. Four girl friends oo1 By Oneras [CC BY-SA 2.0 or CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons