I always thought flirting of itself was a way to break the ice and get behind another persons shell. To open them up and make them feel more receptive and comfortable, then a relaxed way of communication can occur that indirectly links the human need to feel connected, whether sarcastic, humours, sexual or otherwise.
Flirting fills a need, the need to find a quick way to relate on a basic individual level past the defensive barriers that are there after all. Its as much a boost for the recipient as it is for the sender to get a response. As harmless or harmful flirting gets really depends much on maturity, experience and knowledge of what is happening.
Which unfortunately of its nature is taken out of context because its perceived as a way to hit on another person mostly in the from of sexual innuendo which isn't necessarily the case. When its heavy and thick sure both the flirted and flirtee indeed have to judge or perceive what the boundary is as miscommunication is like a drop in the hat too easy. Otherwise its a playful form of communication that is meant to ease tension and make light of situations that feel like a coffin. As a form of interest level that shares a hint of intimacy without being intimate at all or flattery, compliment or signs of admiration too, to have some fun without the pressure of expectation.
I want to flirt to charm the pants off women like the next person.
Alas my flirting ability is opulently lost somewhere in translation. This thread feels like a whole lot of jibber jabber and not a whole lot of jabber jibber. all kinds of wrong are all kinds of right and all kinds or right are all kinds of wrong. shrugs.