"Flirting is one of the most human impulses there is. Even the word's etymology points to how long we as a species have been doing it: It stems from the 17th century French idiom "conter fleurette," meaning telling gallantries. Flirting is an evolutionary necessity. It's the peacocking that leads to relationships, which (crudely put) lead to reproduction. Obviously, having children is far from the only reason people pursue sexual or romantic relationships, but the point stands: Flirting is a quintessentially human - or well, animal - behavior."
"Millennials will have started their romantic lives meeting people in bars and frat parties, before pivoting en masse to The Apps. Digital native Zoomers may have only known the DM slide for a large portion of their lives, and are now increasingly craving in-person dating experiences. Not to mention the impact of cultural shifts in gender and relationship politics on people's flirting habits."
Flirting functions as an ancient, evolutionary form of courtship that often leads to relationships and potential reproduction. Flirting methods vary by generation: Baby Boomers and Gen X relied on phone calls and dances, Millennials met in bars before shifting en masse to dating apps, and Zoomers commonly used DMs but are increasingly seeking in-person dating. Cultural shifts in gender and relationship politics influence how people flirt. Across ages, people want to be seen, respected, listened to, and have boundaries honored while sharing laughter and fun. Boomers commonly advise authenticity and respect when flirting.
Read at HuffPost
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