Flirting in Lagos has rules, even if nobody wants to admit it. You’re expected to be bold, but also subtle enough to walk away without facing embarrassment. It’s a balance of audacity, timing, and humour. And most people are very good at it.
1. It Goes Down in the DM
There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned “Hi!” or a smooth pickup line in the DMs to let that crush or potential bae know how you feel about them. It’s a high-risk, high-reward method, but it can never go out of style.
2. Credit Alert
This one ehn? Very tricky, context and approach is very important so you don’t give the wrong impression or start something you can’t keep up with. We can’t have Odogwu having money problems at the beginning.
3. Using A Mutual Friend As Middle Man
You were introduced by a mutual friend, probably at a party or any venue, they caught your eye, you’re a bit shy and need the friend to put in a word, vouch for the person, or the best bet, find out if they also find you interesting and attractive too.
4. Social Media Banter That Goes Private
Many love stories started like this, from bold and flirtatious responses on X (fka Twitter) feeds and Instagram comment sections to private messages that continued into something more, and an audience either rooting for you or wishing you breakfast.
5. Flirting Through Funny Videos and Memes
A lot of us are guilty of this one, especially when it’s a low-key risky move you’re making; there’s nothing like humor to conveniently deny any shots being fired if it doesn’t go your way. Make shame not to catch you.
6. Ordering Food or Preparing One
They say food is the way to a man’s heart, but more accurately, it’s the way to anyone’s heart, especially if it’s their favorite meal or something they’ve been craving. So cooking that said meal (if you can, oh!) or finding where to get it with a cute note seems to do the trick.
7. Switching to Voice Notes
This is probably the greenest signal you can receive or give a crush or potential bae. When you send that voicenote, and they respond back with one, and it just keeps going. BOOM! You’re in, so you’d better lock in a date sharply.
Flirting isn’t just about shooting your shot; it’s about how you shoot it. There’s an unspoken understanding that even when interest is expressed, it can never be too direct. Everyone wants plausible deniability if things go south.
