How To Flirt With More Confidence

woman in a turtleneck sitting in a field of flowers how to flirt with confidence

Pippa Murphy,sex and relationship expert at condoms.uk, knows how awkward flirting can be. (Trust us, we do too). In the age of dating apps and cell phones, it’s nerve-wracking to put yourself out there if you don’t know how you’ll be received. However, that shouldn’t keep you from acting with confidence.

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“As flirting involves a person putting themselves out there and expressing interest in another person, this can be seen as quite scary as there’s the possibility that the other person won’t feel the same,” Murphy says. “Naturally, the fear can become even more intense if the person flirting doesn’t know the other person very well and, therefore, can’t confidently assume how they’ll react.”

Fear and social anxiety often leave us feeling paralyzed. Talking to strangers, let alone flirting with them, can feel like a nightmare for shy people. But Murphy says that working on your conversational skills, and building your self-esteem, will impact the way you flirt.

“I’d suggest practicing flirting in low-pressure situations — such as with friends or in a social setting where you feel comfortable,” she says. “Perhaps you go to a bar with your friends on a Saturday night and speak to the opposite sex as a group. Or perhaps you ask your cute coffee barista how their day is going. It’s definitely best to start small as these low-pressure situations can help build your confidence.”

Online dating is a great way to break out of your shell because of how intentional you have to be with your profile. “You can carefully consider your responses to people, which is a relief if you tend to get overwhelmed or anxious in face-to-face interactions,” she says. “Online dating also allows you to communicate with potential dates without you having to reveal too much personal information.”

“When a person is active on a dating app, it’s clear that they’re single (or they should at least be),” she continues. “This means it’s clear who is looking for a potential partner as often, in real life, it’s hard to know unless someone is wearing a wedding or engagement ring, or literally tells you that they have a partner.” Dating apps let you set the pace of the conversation, and choose to be vulnerable on your own timeline.

Image via Josh Hild/Pexels

Flirting IRL? Try your hand at non-verbal communication. “Give them eye contact, smile, or send positive body language, as all of these are positive ways to flirt without feeling too vulnerable,” Murphy says. “Practicing these skills can help you feel more confident in your ability to express interest in someone - plus, they may lead to the other person starting a conversation.”

Murphy also recommends practicing affirmations or writing down three things that you love about yourself. Plus, it never hurts to buy yourself some confidence-boosting lingerie!

Once the flirting has begun, it’s important to make sure that you focus on talking and acting like yourself. The end goal of flirting is to connect with someone in real life, so you want to make sure that connection is authentic.

“Express your genuine interest and personality. Never pretend to be someone you’re not as it’s counterproductive, and will be easy to spot and may make the conversation awkward,” she says. “If you present yourself differently over text than you do in person, you may risk creating a false impression that may not be sustainable in the long term. Instead of adopting a different approach to flirting over text, I’d recommend that you find your natural style of communication, which is often an extension of your personality.”

Murphy recommends finding your natural style of communication (like using humor if you’re naturally witty, or asking questions if you’re empathetic). But these conversations aren’t just about your prospective partner — they’re also about you.

“You should also analyze how YOU feel when someone flirts with you,” she says. “Do you feel more comfortable with direct compliments, or do you prefer something more subtle? Do you like people who are coy, or a little bit more direct? By paying attention to how you feel, you’ll start to identify what feels most natural and comfortable for you.”

If you’re ready to take the plunge but still have some nerves, ask your friends to read your messages before you send them. “Not only will they be able to offer advice based on their experiences and knowing your personality, but chances are they’ll find it fun, too,” she says. “By doing all of the above, you’ll develop a flirting style that feels natural and comfortable for you — whilst building the ability to build connections based on mutual respect and genuine interest.”

​The Best Dating App Conversation Starters

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The first thing that Murphy recommends for your dating profile is that you keep your messages short and sweet. That way, it’s easier to grab someone’s attention. “You should also take into account what is on their profile and kickstart the conversation with these personality hints in mind,” Murphy says. “If you notice that they’re a big foodie, give them two food choices and make them pick one. Or ask them ‘If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?’”

If you’re running out of ideas, a game of two truths and a lie is always a good way to pick up the conversation: “Ideally, the person will reply with two really fun facts about themselves, which kicks the conversation off in a playful way, making it easier to get to know one another.”

“If you want to get to know someone on a deeper level, you could ask them ‘What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this week?’” Murphy continues. “Not only is this a nice way to break the ice but the broadness of the question will show you what is important to them in life.”

Learning how to flirt, or what to look for in a partner? Check out our email newsletter for more relationship content!

Lead image viaJosh Hild/Pexels

Andrew Garfield's relationship status is always a swoon-worthy topic. Whether he's gushing about how Emma Stone is like a shot of caffeine, he's getting flustered talking to Chicken Shop Date's Amelia Dimoldenberg, or he's kissing Demi Moore on the hand, this man is always making me blush. But it looks like he might not be single anymore if some recent outings with Monica Barbaro are any indication — including a post-Oscars party!

While neither Andrew nor Monica have spoken on the relationship rumors, a People source confirmed "they've been really lowkey and have been spending time together quietly"...and Monica shared a pretty funny moment with Amelia on the Oscars red carpet.

Here's what we know about those Andrew Garfield & Monica Barbaro dating rumors.

March 2025: Andrew Garfield & Monica Barbaro attend an Oscar afterparty together.

After the Oscars on March 2, Monica Barbaro and Andrew Garfield left the Vanity Fair after part together...and showed up to Beyoncé and Jay-Z's after party. No big deal! Monica wore a strapless gown with gorgeous teardrop jewel detail while Andrew looks dapper in a deep gray suit.

They also happened to arrive at the Oscars red carpet at the same time...and Monica was sitting in Andrew's eye line the whole night. what a coincidence!

February 2025: Monica Barbaro & Andrew Garfield see Jonathan Bailey's play.

The two went viral on February 20 when they showed up to Jonathan Bailey's Richard II at the Bridge Theatre, and I'm obsessed with how locked in he is on their conversation. This man is an attentive listener if I've ever seen one!

January 2025: Andrew Garfield & Monica Barbaro are photographed together.

Andrew and Monica were first seen together at W magazine's Best Performances party, alongside Eddie Redmayne and W's editor-at-large Lynn Hirschberg, in LA. They were already getting cozy!

What do you think about Andrew Garfield & Monica Barbaro? I'm personally obsessed. Stay tuned for the latest news on this low-key couple! And check out Zoë Kravitz & Noah Centineo Fuel Dating Rumors After Leaving Another Party Together because Andrew & Monica weren't the only ones hanging out this weekend 👀.

Millions of people are painfully aware of the struggles that come with being an adult in today's economy (hello, cost of eggs?!).

The average salary in the United States is just over $66,600, according to data from the Social Security Administration. Meanwhile, mortgage rates are still above 6%, and food prices have risen a whopping 31% since 2019.

Being able to afford outings like date nights or brand-name clothing, let alone going on family vacations or buying a home, has become a privilege. But, for people who grew up in affluent households that didn't have to worry about finances, privilege can be an invisible force that shapes their lives in ways they don't even realize.

When you grow up surrounded by other individuals just like you, it's easy to assume that everyone has the same opportunities. However, once you venture outside your "bubble," you might experience a wake-up call or a defining moment that opens your eyes to the disparities that exist beyond your own upbringing.

So, people who grew up wealthy recently took to Reddit to share their own personal wake-up calls, which made them realize just how privileged they were compared to others. Here are 10 of the most intriguing revelations.

Scroll to see the wake-up calls that made these wealthy people finally see the real world...

1. Not everyone's parents can put them through college. 

"My parents are wealthy, but I grew up in a place where many of my peers' parents were super, duper, crazy wealthy, so I had a skewed understanding of wealth," shared one user.

"It was really eye-opening for me when I went to college. I didn't have to take out student loans; my parents were able to just pay for it. But I had friends who, even with financial aid, had to work their [behinds] off year-round to cover the cost of school. I realized pretty quickly just how privileged I was and that I did, in fact, grow up with wealth."

2. Country clubs aren't the only kind of "clubs" out there. 

"When I was confused about people on Maury complaining their spouse was at 'the club,' and I couldn't figure out what type of country club would let people like that through the front security gate," admitted another user.

3. Not everyone views their parents as good role models. 

"Becoming an adult and realizing that I have extremely good role models as parents because when they have disagreements, they talk them out, and I have never, ever, heard them argue or badmouth each other," one user revealed.

"I also realized that as a kid, my parents got me mental health help that I needed even though it was expensive and continued that care for as long as I have needed it," they added.

"A third [wake-up call] that doesn't seem like much but has had a huge impact was being taught financial literacy from a young age; to budget my money and only buy the things I really, really want."

4. Many people have never left the country.  

"My parents loved to travel. By the time I was 16, I had been to every continent aside from Antarctica. I didn't realize that this was privileged behavior until I went to university, and most of the guys I met had never left the country," a user shared.

"In fact, I grew up thinking I was less privileged because everyone at my school was just obscenely rich. Like, all their stuff was high-end designer stuff while I was in Converse."

5. Some families cannot afford to have pets. 

"My dad was an engineer, so professional wealth, but... probably hearing about a kid whose family had to give his dog away due to the cost in elementary school," another user remembered.

"Giving away our dog wasn't on the radar or even on the table. But it was only out of the question because my parents had the money for it to be out of the question."

6. Owning multiple properties is not the norm. 

"When I learned that not everyone has a summer cottage or trust fund, and not all grandparents have weekend and summer homes," a user noted.

7. Exposure to cultural education isn't a given. 

"I didn't think I grew up in a wealthy family, but when I started high school, I was part of a group of girls who became close friends with me. Apparently, they thought it was very weird that I knew things that I considered cultural knowledge, like the history of some important building in the city or the fact that I actually knew about art and went to museums quite often," detailed a user.

"All this because my parents made me go to museums and theaters my whole life growing up. Apparently, that's not a normal thing for normal parents to do with their kids, and asking your parents if they can take you to the ballet is not something a teenager would normally ask."

8. Some people have never been able to fill up their tanks at the gas station. 

"In college, I went on a road trip with friends, and one asked how much money he should put in the gas tank. I told him to fill it up," recalled a user.

"He kept asking, 'Okay, how much should I pay?' and I kept saying, 'Fill it up!' It turned out he had only ever put $10 to $15 at a time, and it had never occurred to me that some people never fill their gas tanks to the top."

9. Seeing how families abroad make do.

"I realized how privileged I was when I spent a summer with my great-grandmother in a small village in rural Hungary. No indoor running water, the only phone was at the church, and everyone came out to touch the rental car we drove there in. This was in the late 1980s," recalled a user.

10. Learning that not everyone takes their first flight as a child.

"I have been flying around the world since I was 4 months old. When I was 16, my friend told me she'd fly for the first time in an airplane, and I was shocked," said another user.

"I told my dad that I couldn't believe it took her 16 years to fly! I got a stern talk after; my dad is very humble despite it all."

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The 2025 Oscars were full of incredible red carpet outfits and fun moments (like Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo's Wicked opening medley!!), but before the iconic awards show aired, our favorite starts partied the night away...including Zoë Kravitz and Noah Centineo. This duo has been raising some eyebrows over the last few weeks and this marks the second party they've been spotted leaving together.

Here's what we know about those Zoë Kravitz and Noah Centineo dating rumors.

Zoë Kravitz and Noah Centineo partied the night away in Hollywood.

'Twas the night before the Oscars (or the morning of the Oscars depending on how you look at it), and Zoë Kravitz and Noah Centineo were seen leaving a pre-Oscars party together. DeuxMoi sources claim they hopped into a car around 2:20 in the morning on March 2.

While these two haven't taken their relationship official, leaving the same party together definitely has the internet talking — especially since this isn't the first time they've been spotted together recently! Zoë and Noah were also spotted leaving Danielle Haim's birthday party in New York City on February 15.

The parties come four months after Zoë Kravitz and ex-fiancé Channing Tatum called off their wedding. "The split is amicable," one source told People. "They realized they're at different stages in life."

“Ultimately once [Blink Twice] ended, they realized they were on different pages with what they wanted. It fizzled fast after their press tour wrapped," added an Us Weeklysource.

But Zoë has nothing but good things to say about Channing, telling Elle (after the premiere of their movie Blink Twice) that "I love this thing that we made together, and I care for him very much."

"He has so much more coming, and I think he's in a place as an actor where he's feeling really confident and people are seeing different sides of him," she adds, saying she's "excited for people to keep witnessing that."

What do you think about Zoë Kravitz and Noah Centineo hanging out this last few weeks? Read up on what happened when Glen Powell & Lily James Just Got Cozy In The Back Of A Car for more on another favorite maybe-couple!

Sydney Sweeneyis reportedly in the middle of an extended hotel stay. After postponing her wedding to fiancé Jonathan Davino at the end of February, Sydney turned heads when she stepped out in Barbie pink at the Vanity Fair Oscars party — and now according to a few sources, the Euphoria actress has been flying solo. And it's sparked major breakup rumors.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about those Jonathan Davino & Sydney Sweeney breakup rumors.

Sydney Sweeney has reportedly been staying on her own for the last few weeks.

According to TMZ sources, Sydney Sweeney has been having a solo stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel since "around the middle of February." Apparently she hasn't been joined by Jonathan Davino throughout her time, instead sticking with some friends and one of her bodyguards.

We don't have official news on a breakup just yet, but while The Housemaid actress' decision to postpone her wedding definitely made headlines, Sydney's always maintained that she's been too busy with work to rush to the altar. "I am so busy working!" she told Entertainment Tonight when asked about the wedding. "I'm a workaholic and I love it, I love it."

Sydney Sweeney also revealed why she keeps her relationships private.

Sydney Sweeney and Jonathan Davino have kept their relationship pretty low-key since they were first linked in 2018. And in 2023 she revealed why she keeps those details close to her chest.

“Everyone is always so curious about who I’m with and what’s that like, but I think it’s important to have something for me,” Sydney toldGlamour UK. “I’m very open [otherwise]. I talk about so much, and sometimes, it gets me in trouble, but I do try to keep something for me.”

“I’ve been in a steady relationship for a really long time, which is not normal in this industry and not normal for my age,” she continued. “What I’ve noticed about the idea of celebrity is people really love to build someone up and then tear them down.”

Here's Your First Look At Sydney Sweeney As "Incredible" Christy Martin. Read all about it!

Just like green cocktails, shamrock-inspired treats, and incorporating Baileys and Guinness into just about any dish, serving corned beef recipes on St. Patrick's Day is part of Irish-American tradition. But just because it's expected doesn't mean it has to be boring.

Here are 18 brand new ways to eat corned beef that you've probably never tasted before!

Corned Beef Brisket

Brit + Co

To get you started with these corned beef recipes, here's our guide to cooking the ultimate St. Patrick's Day feast. You can use this to inform the rest of recipes, or stick to the basics! The brine features ingredients like salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, and ginger. As good as it is fresh, dressing up the leftover sandwich however you see fit might just be the best (and most unique) part. (via Brit + Co)

Guinness BBQ Corned Beef & White Cheddar Sliders

Dixie Chik Cooks

When you want to make an American dish even more American, you barbecue it! This beer-based BBQ sauce has to be tasted to be believed. (via Dixie Chik Cooks)

Corned Beef Tacos with Beer-Battered Fries

Half Baked Harvest

This Mexican-American-inspired riff on the original is epic. And the creamy Greek-yogurt cabbage slaw is like nectar of the gods. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Cheesy Naan Reuben Pizzas with Thousand Island Drizzle

The Curious Plate

It was only a matter of time before some enterprising American chef took the humble reuben and turned it into a pizza. TBH, we'll eat anything with naan in it. (via The Curious Plate)

Reuben Poppers

The Beach House Kitchen

This crazy-good concept takes the grilled Reuben and whips it up, popper style. These make perfect food for snacking. (via The Beach House Kitchen)

Irish Nacos with Beer Sauce

The Salty Marshmallow

If you're looking for some over-the-top pub food, check out these Irish nachos. Instead of tortilla chips, it calls for thinly sliced potatoes and the queso is a homemade cheddar-beer sauce! (via The Salty Marshmallow)

Reuben Stuffed Potato Skins

Cooks With Cocktails

This one's for the gluten-free folks in the house. What better vehicle for all those yummy reuben stuffings than a crisp potato jacket that's simply oozing melted cheese. (via Cooks With Cocktails)

Corned Beef Grilled Cheese

Spicy Southern Kitchen

If you like emphasis on cheese, this one's for you. This sammie is spilling over with thinly sliced corned beef, caramelized onions, and oodles of melty Fontina cheese. What's not to love? (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

Reuben Po’ Boys

The Cooking Bride

The original Louisiana po' boys were stuffed with either fried seafood or thinly-sliced beef, so this sammy is an American original in more ways than one. Stuffed with bourbon glazed corned beef, this corned beef sandwich is topped with a vinegar-based cabbage slaw that really pops. (via The Cooking Bride)

Spicy Reuben Chowder with Brown Butter Rye Croutons

The Curious Plate

If there's such a thing as *leftover* corned beef at your house, lucky you! For the rest of us, a cabbage chowder like this one topped with just a pinch of corned beef crumbles totally satisfies the craving. Pro tip: if you really have zero St. Paddy's leftovers, bacon crumbles will taste just as good and no one at the table will be the wiser. (via The Curious Plate)

Reuben Eggs Benedict

Crunch Time Kitchen

Those new to cooking will love that this is a beginner-style eggs Bennie. Corn the beef yourself (click through for the recipe) — or you could just pile on some corned beef and sauerkraut from your local deli and it will be just as good. (via Crunch Time Kitchen)

Corned Beef Breakfast Hash

Fed & Fit

This one's for all the clean eaters in the house. This corned beef hash is made with all wholesome ingredients — as if you needed a second reason to celebrate! (via Fed & Fit)

St. Paddy’s Corned Beef Burgers with Irish Cheddar Cheese

The Curious Plate

These burgers made of a combo of ground beef and corned beef mixed with Guinness are practically worthy of Irish-American sainthood. To be sure, even St. Patrick himself would give 'em three clovers up. (via The Curious Plate)

Reuben Waffle Fries

Melanie Makes

This version of a Reuben casserole takes it up a notch with crispy waffle fries. The cast iron skillet ensures that the fries stay crunchy while the cheese melts into every crevice. (via Melanie Makes)

Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage Sliders with Guinness Mustard

The Cookie Rookie

The meat for these sliders comes together easy peasy in your slow cooker or crockpot. This is one dinner tray that's guaranteed to come back to the kitchen licked clean. (via The Cookie Rookie)

Hot Reuben Dip

Culinary Hill

Anyone in your family who loves Reuben sandwiches will love this dip. You'd best make two and place one at each end of your dinner table — to avoid the inevitable traffic jam when everyone lines up behind this. (via Culinary Hill)

Reuben Sliders

Countryside Cravings

These hearty sliders on ciabatta bread are sure to be a fave, but why wait? They'd be equally great at your next family dinner, movie night, or an evening flying solo. (via Countryside Cravings)

Corned Beef Hash, Cajun Style

Chili Pepper Madness

The good thing about slow cooking your own corned beef is you might just have enough left over the next day to make hash for breakfast. This version takes it to the next level, with spicy peppers, Cajun seasonings, and hot sauce that runneth over. (via Chili Pepper Madness)

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This post has been updated.