Dating: The Fine Art of Flirting, Part 3

Having hosted hundreds of speed dating events over the past six years I can’t begin to tell you how important it is to get eye contact right. Each speed dating event is an opportunity to witness a variety of flirting techniques in action and it is clear that successful flirts use eye contact as a tool, they’re aware of what they’re doing and have a distinct strategy. These people just reel in the dates. Getting eye contact wrong can often be very off putting – no one likes to be ogled by mad staring eyes! Speed daters that get the balance between too much and too little eye contact wrong aren’t making the most of the situation. Obviously most of the time you won't be at a speed dating event, so the following tip is all about how to manage eye contact in a fleeting encounter...

3.Eye Contact

Everybody knows that the eyes are the windows to the loins. The mating dance all starts with a glance. So catch someone's eye and hold their gaze half a second longer than normal: one second in total. Then look away, look coy and then look again, this time with a more meaningful glance and a slight smile.

The glance dance can go on for some time. Avoid pointing out to your friends that you've made a connection. They'll just turn and stare. Simply work on your posture, pull in your tummy and arch your back slightly. And while you're looking them in the eye, hit them with a smile — it's one of your main passports to social success. Wear a smile at all times and if someone doesn't have one, give them one of yours. A soft smile will do. It doesn't have to be a toothy grin. If you are not interested in someone who flashes you a glance, merely turn away from them and don't look back. It should be obvious that you are not open to their advances without being rude.

Dating tips by Justin Parfitt, CEO and Founder of FastLife Speed Dating, the world's largest speed dating and singles events servce. Hosting speed dating events in 43 cities, including Speed Dating in Melbourne and Speed Dating in Brisbane