Reply #14: I never know.

[hunter]

I used to figure everyone was irritated with me, and even if I recognized they were being friendly I'd think they were faking it, but honestly that was too much work and got me into a lot of trouble.

Now I assume everyone is friendly or flirty, and respond in kind. It really pisses off the people who really are irritated with me, or the people who are trying to use me, but good, it makes everyone else happy.

I don't make any emotional investments, however, especially since I'm married! (I made an exception to the emotional investment rule when I met my wife...)

The trick is to know your boundaries, and stick to them.

If you really want some lessons, go work in a doctor's office and watch the pharmaceutical reps who stop by to visit. They are the ultimate pros at flirty and friendly, OMG, which does explain so many things that are wrong with medicine in the U.S., especially doctors who prescribe expensive meds to people who don't have any means of consistently taking them.