The 9 Levels of Flirtation:
1. Visual
2. Verbal
3. Slight Touch
4. Hanging out with Interest
5. Formal Date
6. Hand Hold
7. Hold Hug
8. Cheek Kiss
9. Lip Kiss
Some of the following steps can be interchangeable, however you do not reach a level of flirtation unless you take part in all he preceding levels. For instance, a formal date is not necessarily a level of flirtation unless it is someone you hang out with whom you have interest for. Also, if you Hold Hug each other before you Hand Hold, then you are not at a level 7skipping level 6. You are merely acting on level 6.
Visual. Any silly or ridiculous non-verbal gestures that cause the member of the opposite sex to laugh or smile. Even looking at someone because they are cute and turning away when they look at you is considered in some degrees as flirting.
Verbal. This one is much more vague. Are you actually flirting or just being friendly? This includes anything said that hints to more than friendship whether in a joking manner or a serious manner. More often is this used in a jocular setting.
Slight Touch. Inclusive of any intentional physical contact with the opposite sex that is not intimate. This could include a hug, a poke in the sides, a hand touch or stroking of arm, et cetera. The only exception would a simple handshake, eps. when meeting someone for the first time.
Slight Touch is the most commonly used level of flirtation. If someone resorts to this method of flirting right away, then in most cases it means the person doing the flirting is generally just a flirt. Never confuse this right away as a sign of interest because in many cases there is nothing deeply personal. More over, it is a sign that level 3 is the flirter's most comfortable method of flirting.
Stealing and misplacing items of a person, i.e. a cell phone or a calculator (knowing that person will soon be in need of), is a common way of flirting that falls under the category of Slight Touch. In other words:
Teasing.
Hanging out with Interest. Not the same as Hanging Out, clearly. This is often done by pairing off. Whether it is simply you and the significant other, or a larger group where you spend most of your time with that significant other, it is the same.
Formal Date. Now here is where you can arguably say this is no longer flirting. According to Dictionary.com
Flirting is: "
to court triflingly or act amorously without serious intentions". For some people this is where they begin to take action, while for others they are still trifling without serious intentions. Either way, the second definition is: "to trifle or toy, as with an idea." Those questions still buzz around in your head. Do I actually like this person? Is this person good for me? Is there someone else out there better for me instead?
Dating to date (such as asking a good friend to a school dance or a group date activity) is not flirting. It is much similar to hanging out without interest. Friends just being friends. But when two people begin forming an interest for each other, and then they go on that formal date... They are acting under level 5 of the Levels of Flirtation.
Hand Hold. Typically the first big move. Often times the most nerve-racking one on this list. Simply put: Inter-digitating. Locking fingers between fingers. Holding of the hand. Clasping of the phalanges.
Hold Hug. More than just a hug. This is holding.
Cheek Kiss. A kiss on the cheek. (Probably could've figured that one out)
Lip Kiss. The flying of sparks. Stupefy. Flipendo. Expelliarmus.