Keep an open mind
When it comes to flirting and mingling, your goal should not be to walk into a room, identify someone who seems like your type, and funnel all of your energy into catching that one person’s attention. In fact, it should be quite the opposite. “When you’re too target specific, you close yourself off to so much,” says Kimberly Seltzer, a therapist, dating, and makeover expert at Elite Image Makeovers. Instead, focus on chatting with a few people—no matter who they are—and build a hub of positive energy from there. The more people in your social network, the more you’ll be able to branch out. This is the trait most sought after when looking for a partner.
Maintain an open body language
Whether you’re eating at a café, relaxing at the bar, or waiting in line at the grocery store, certain non-verbal cues will stop a potential conversation-starter in his or her tracks. To appear more approachable, put your phone away, remove your headphones, straighten your back, uncross your arms, and relax the muscles in your face. One low-pressure place to practice is at a sidewalk café during lunchtime: you’ll have the entertainment that comes with people-watching (and encourages you to get your nose out of your phone) along with the casualness that comes with the daytime rush. Here’s how to use body language for better relationships.
