Flirtation is essentially an indirect (and somewhat fancy-pants) way of giving and receiving compliments.

“Hi, you’re proper fit and I fancy the bones of ya” are the words you’re not saying. Offering to buy a drink and flicking your hair like a banshee at full moon is the way your body shouts it from the hilltops.

We all love getting compliments, in whatever form they come, and this is why it is sometimes hard to resist a little bit of flirting …even when you are in a relationship.

But this is not necessarily the cardinal sin it may initially seem.

A smidge of light flirting here and there can leave you feeling damn attractive – which, after several years with the same person, you may very rarely feel.

And, as long as your partner isn’t the crazy ‘drown you in the bath’ jealous type, it never hurts for them to be reminded that other people fancy your cute arse too. It may even serve to pep up your relationship.

My best trick is to walk into a bar a few steps ahead of my guy. As I walk I make eye contact and smile broadly at men when I pass, they are bound to smile back and some will even turn and stare. My man hasn’t spotted my encouragement of course. He has just seen a whole heap of guys turn their heads at his missus. Score.

However, if you take it even an iota too far you will be treading on very dodgy ground. Even if you don’t intend to, letting somebody think there is a chance you may give them access to your under-crackers is not clever and could land you in a whole heap of trouble – not least if your partner finds out.

Flirting too regularly with the same person can also be a risky business, as it may make your feelings for them become more intense. Find yourself alone with them after a vino or two and your resolve could be tested to the extreme. Temptation is often a tricky beast to ignore and is best avoided from the off.

The crux of the matter is that flirting when attached is a case-by-case situation; with every partner, potential flirtee and flirter affecting the outcome.

In the main I would say “go for it” but do use your noggin and exercise a little caution.

Certainly don’t do what I did a few years ago – I flirted outrageously with my boss for weeks, despite being ass- over-boob in love with my boyfriend. Well, when he eventually made his inevitable move, I of course had to turn him down and explain in excruciating detail just why I thought it was perfectly ok to tease him in such a manner!

Yet another job in my chequered career history that I had to leave because of my foolish flirtations! Idiot.

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