I may as well try speaking latin instead. The advice I've gotten from books and from friends is usually along the lines of non-verbal cues, or "the vibe". Fat chance of me making that happen. One book I read said to "make the other person feel seen," which like... OK? What? I can make prolonged eye contact I guess, or tell them observations about their personality, but that hardly seems like flirting to me. And a lot of other advice online seems like it's coming from incels and pick up artists

I've only picked up on someone else flirting with me 1 time, and that wasn't until she started holding my hand. I wish I could just tell everyone that they need to be very clear and direct if they're interested in me

The last thing I want is to try hitting on someone and end up making them feel uncomfortable by being too forward or explicit. I want to play this game like everyone else. I can plan lines or conversations, try to time an "arm touch" or something to break the touch barrier, but even then I have no clue if it's being read as flirting or not. I can usually make people laugh, but again, that feels like the very first step of flirting, if anything

Anyway, I'm just rambling. I needed somewhere to vent before going to a group hangout tonight. Cam anyone relate to any of this?