Sizzling Summer Flirting Tips

Warm weather brings tons of opportunities to meet someone new. Here, a look
at some simple ways to break the ice.

Head outdoors where it's easy
to mingle
Let's face it: You don't meet many flirt-worthy prospects
hanging out at home or staying glued to your work. So now that the warm
weather's arrived, take your lunch to the local park, open-air café, or any
other area that's milling with potential love connections. "Ask if you can share
a spot of shade or a bench," suggests Bonnie Jacobson, Ph.D., a clinical
psychologist and author of The Shy Single: A Bold Guide to Dating for the
Less-than-Bold Dater. What to talk about? Your lunch is a fine place to
start. "If you brown-bag it, make fun of your tuna-fish habit: 'I wish I were
more imaginative than this at eight o'clock in the morning.' Inquire as to the
other person's preference for a triangle-cut or rectangular-cut sandwich. That's
a flirt, people."

Skip the beach-blanket bingo
Sand + surf = sexy … If you're not
flirting up a storm during your seaside jaunts, it's high time to rethink what
you do while you're there. Do you park yourself on a towel surrounded by friends
and a stack of magazines? No wonder you're not racking up phone numbers.
Instead, "Stand at the water's edge and stick your toes in," suggests David
Wygant, flirt coach and author of Always Talk to Strangers: 3 Simple Steps to
Finding the Love of Your Life. "There are bound to be others doing the same
thing. Ask, 'Is it really cold? How bad is it?' You're up, you're engaged in
something, and that's an automatic conversation-starter." Likewise, cheering on
the participants in a nearby volleyball or soccer game may get you recruited to
play; pack a Frisbee and you'll always have an excuse to snag some cute stranger
for a little back-and-forth.

Stop and smell the roses
"When
you're about to chat with someone you want to connect with, stop for a moment,
breathe in deeply, and take notice of the fragrances around you," says Jacobson.
The scents of summer, she says, are uniquely connected to childhood memories of
being carefree. "If you allow those aromas to give you a natural endorphin
boost, you'll be more open and ready for some flirtation," she explains. Calling
attention to it, by saying "Mmm, finally, the smell of the ocean," or "Oh, I
love the scent of fresh-cut grass, don't you?" can serve as a ready-made opening
line — and since you're asking someone to tune into a sensory experience, it'll
feel way sexier than asking what the time is.

Find an excuse to throw
a party
Flirtatious banter goes hand-in-hand with any social gathering,
and don't think that July 4th was your last chance 'til Labor Day to get people
together. Keep in mind, summer produce is at its best now, and can serve as a
yummy excuse to celebrate. Are the peaches just perfect at the local farmer's
market? Throw a peach sangria soirée, or if you've got access to a barbecue,
throw a create-your-own-kebab bash. Food prep makes it easy to draw someone in:
"I need a sous chef, can you slice these peppers?" "Taste this margarita mix —
too strong? Not strong enough?" Never underestimate what warm-and-fuzzy feelings
can get cooking in the kitchen, says Jacobson. "It's the way our grandmothers
flirted," points out Jacobson, "and it still works today."

Take note
of your summer wardrobe
It's no news flash that the clothes you wear can
send a come-hither signal to others. This summer, show some skin subtly. Doing
so says, "Approach, please." Go ahead and be that gal in the café wearing a
sundress or the guy in cargo shorts and sandals at the local beer garden. You'll
be sending out flirt vibes, showing that you're relaxed and comfortable in your
own skin. If you happen to be a bit bashful about your bod, there are other ways
to flirt with fashion: Bright, summery colors like yellow, tangerine, or lime
green will instantly make you stand out from the crowd. Or, use other people's
fashion statements as a way to flirt. For instance, t-shirts with eye-catching
logos or phrases are just begging for commentary. Try something like, "So,
you're a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan, too? I saw them on tour a few years ago."

Flex your flirt muscle 24/7
"My number-one rule of flirting
is, don't save it for the ones you really like," says Wygant. "If you do that,
you'll choke when the big moment comes. Now that the weather's turning warm and
you're spending more time at barbecues and outdoor venues, chat up everyone you
see, even if you're not looking to hang out or hook up. It keeps you poised and
ready to spring when your dream date comes along." Some prime places to get a
mini-workout: Waiting in line ("Hey, is that flavor ice cream good? I've never
tried it") or whenever you need directions ("Excuse me, do you know where the
closest internet café is? You look as if you might know").