Do you ride the bus to work every day, or take the subway? Your daily commute is probably not the highlight of your day. At least not if you sit, boring, quiet, and well-behaved in your seat until you get to your destination. The truth is, public transport is one of the best places to meet interesting people. After all, you're trapped in a small, stuffy space together. So why not try to share the experience?
You pay every day for your commute. So put your money to even better use and use that time to flirt! Read on for ten tips on flirting on the subway or the city bus.
10. Practice makes perfect
Making conversation with a strange person on the train can be a little nerve wracking. It's not a place where people normally talk to each other, so doing it can feel awkward. A good way to get used to flirting on the metro is to do it with people who are unavailable or who you wouldn't be interested in dating. Look for that wedding ring, and then strike up a conversation. Once you get warmed up, you can move onto more interesting --and available-- fare.
9. Scan the train car
Part of finding somebody to flirt with on public transport is positioning yourself well. Instead of simply rushing for the first available seat, look around for somebody you might be interested in talking to, then place yourself close to them. People get on and off public transport all the time-- chances are, the person will never realize you singled them out.
8. Don't get too comfortable
Flirting at all --and especially flirting in a place you're not used to doing it-- is an exercise in getting out of your comfort zone. There's a good chance you'll never be comfortable doing this. So don't worry about being comfortable! Just because you feel strange doesn't mean you aren't doing well.
7. Use reading material for a perfect intro
A lot of people bring something to read with them on the subway. Just like with internet dating, keeping current will give you plenty to talk about when you want to flirt with a stranger-- and keeping up with the latest books can give you great material for starting up a conversation on public transport. But when you do ask about what he or she is reading, be sure to make it a conversation-starting question. "Oh, I heard that book is wonderful! Can you tell me what it's about?" requires more than a simple "yes."
6. Carry your own "defensive" reading material
Not every attempt you make at flirting is going to be successful-- and people who just loiter on public transport looking at people can be a little off-putting. Carry a book or a newspaper, and read or pretend to read it if you get to feeling awkward. Hiding behind one can be a good defense if you need it, and will make you look much less awkward.
5. Use eye contact
If you approach somebody who's reading a book, it can be difficult to make eye contact before you start flirting. But otherwise, eye contact can be a good way to gauge if you might be interested in the person, and if they might be interested in you. While you don't want to stare, you do want to make quick contact. If you catch somebody's eye several times, it may be that they're just as interested in you as you are in them.
4. Pay attention to body language
If you want to flirt anywhere --but especially in a place like the subway-- you've got to pay attention to body language if you want to be successful. First, you need to make sure that your own body language is comfortable and inviting, allowing others to come up to you. Next, you'll need to pick potential flirting partners by their posture as well as their looks. If they're sitting hunched with their arms crossed tightly over their chest, they're probably not interested in talking.
3. Use questions intelligently
Asking a simple question can be a great way to strike up conversation on public transport. But don't waste that first question-- make it a good one. Avoid yes or no questions, and ask open-ended questions instead.
2. Drop your self consciousness
If your public transport is anything like mine, you see a bazillion different people on it every day. Just like with internet dating, you can't be self conscious and worry about what this person will think of you. If you need to, constantly remind yourself that you'll never see them again... so what does it matter?
1. If all else fails, give 'em a note and run
Sometimes you just can't get the courage up to open your mouth and speak to that hot girl or guy on the metro. But all is not lost! If all else fails, write down your number or email address, drop it in his or her lap, flash a smile, and run away. You never know who might call...
