As much as we may claim to dislike the constant rise in technology, it seems to be simply how life rolls nowadays.
Most of us don't let a day go by without checking our emails and our mobile phones are alerting us of notifications from various social network sites every few minutes. Few of us can truly say that we're able to resist the calling of a new text message or a Facebook notification for any longer than five minutes.
Far too much of our daily communication is made through technology for my liking - especially when it comes to the dating game. Or as I call it, going out with one man at a time because my emotional capacity cannot handle any more than that.
Flirting via text message has become basic education, often a more challenging prospect than flirting successfully in person. The world of virtual flirtations seems to have so many rules to follow.
Over the past few years, I've had my share of flirtacious responses ending in semi-colon + end bracket. Virtual flirting is very much an art that I continue to become well practised in quite willingly, given that I've always been a lot more elegant and well-spoken with the written word.
I've made several of the flirtexting mistakes, of course...several times. And I've had my successes that have done wonders for the actual human relationships once we put down our phones. With the assistance of magazine articles dating back to my teenage years, somewhat cheesy books and general life experience, I've learnt five top tips about flirtexting...
1. If they haven't replied, don't text again
We're all guilty of it. We have a lot to say, we have the entire potential conversation well thought out in incredible detail, if only they would co-operate and reply. So we send another text. Completely casually, of course.
However, turn to advice from any article/blog/book about this flirtexting business and the first thing you will be told is to never text twice. And certainly no more. While I'm forever disinclined to abide by any rule, I've learnt to keep at this one, unless wine has had a say in my decisions. It saves the risk of looking desperate and you won't appear to be sitting by the phone eagerly awaiting a response. Even if you are.
2. Make them wait once in a while
I say once in a while so very strongly. Few things are more annoying than your recipient taking forever to text back. But you know the unexplainable torture that comes from waiting for a text from a certain someone. You only want them more. It doesn't hurt to occasionally leave them a little curious about what you're doing that refrains you from texting back. Good things come to those who wait. Just not all day. Let's not be rude.
3. Ignore booty call texts
The 2am text after he's been out with his friends that serves as less of a subtle flirtatious conversation and more of an "I'm horny, are you awake?" ? No? Just my abysmal taste in men? Okay.
Regardless of whether you're contently awake and available to text back while you're burning the midnight oil, put that phone down. You are not a booty call and you are not at their beck and call. They can wait until the morning.
4. Don't send a text just because
Any old conversation is a dull conversation. To alter an old saying slightly; if you don't have anything interesting to say, don't say anything at all. Keep the text chat light-hearted, positive and entertaining. Don't feel like you have to make small talk all day every day.
5. For the love of god, don't text again
Repeated, underlined and in bold letters. If I've learnt nothing about flirting (and believe me, I've learnt very little), it's to refrain from texting when you're yet to receive a text back. Or drunk.