There are plenty of ways to get women’s attention, but not all of them are good.

Sometimes guys can come across as crazy or creepy when all they wanted was to get noticed. Some men tend to show off, others are too intimate too early, and others are way too obviously desperate.

Flirting is the art of catching a woman’s attention in a positive way. There’s no reason to do anything crazy to get a woman’s attention if you know how to flirt properly.

And flirting is surprisingly easy once you’ve practiced a little! Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:

Never, ever sneak up behind a woman to introduce yourself. If you ever do, hope that she doesn’t know martial arts and that she has a more than phenomenal sense of humor. Her first impression of you won’t be flattering, either. She’ll most likely remember you as someone who can’t be trusted.

Don’t stare, especially at any body part that isn’t her eyes. You want to meet her eyes in a relaxed, casual and friendly way.

Flirt with one woman at a time. If you choose a woman to flirt with, you’re telling her that you think she’s special. It ruins the message if you think every woman in the room is special enough to flirt with, and it makes you look desperate.

Be sincere. If you end up saying something that sounds stupid, it’s better if you meant it honestly. You can be forgiven for sounding silly, but never for being dishonest.

Start at a distance and slowly work your way closer. Check her out from across the room, and if she notices you, smile at her. There isn’t any reason to pretend you weren’t checking her out – you were, and you’re going to be upfront about it, but you aren’t going to stare or drool.

Don’t come any closer than arm’s length. If she wants to get closer to you, she can, but that’s her decision. Getting right next to her when she doesn’t know you will make her move away from you. On the other hand, keeping a little bit of distance and speaking softly will encourage her to move closer to you on her own.

Keep your body language consistent. If you’re open to meeting this woman, then your posture should be open, your arms won’t be crossed, and your eyes should meet hers.

Watch her body language. If your flirting is working, she’ll be flirting back. Glancing at you, smiling, and keeping her posture open are signs that things are going well.

This easy-to-follow manual to mastering the art of flirting offers indispensable advice on working the dating scene and reinvigorating your love life. Exploring key areas including listening and communication skills, body language and self-image, Flirting For Dummies provides readers with all the tools they need to boost their self-confidence and engage with people in a natural and charming way.