Hi friends. Is it fucked up to flirt with someone with no intention of taking it further? I’m in a long-term monogamous relationship. Sometimes I crave a little validation from strangers. I’m not going to cheat on my partner, but I do have a need to feel desirable to others. I don’t feel like a bit of flirting is a betrayal of my relationship, but I’m less confident about how other people feel. Like, I don’t want to waste someone else’s time, but I guess maybe I am leading people on a bit if I chat with them without mentioning my partner.
I mean, I believe in consent in every step of the way. Flirtation is only the first step and if nothing is ever progressed past that, I can only assume I’m not invited to go further.
that being said, I am aware that people think like this and that is why I don’t think it’s safe to flirt with random strangers.
this is about initiating the interaction on false pretenses or not. don’t signal potential interest if there’s no potential interest. certainly don’t do it if you’re some attention vampire like OP described.
it’s not about whether you’re dtf in the nearest bathroom stall or proposing marriage