For the record, this is solely based on observations. With multiple social medias taking over the internet, I have noticed a couple of things especially when it comes to relationships. Not only that, a vast majority of plots in movies and TV shows are centered around some form of relationship.

Look! There’s a pretty cute girl/guy getting their stuff at their locker. You want to talk to them, but you don’t know how to start the conversation without being awkward. So, you move along. However, people just walk over there and talk to her/him anyway. Why? It's probably because she/he is attractive and the other wants to be with them. This is called flirting when someone tries to get the attention of another person in the hopes of a more serious relationship.

Now look, the same cute person is back at their locker all alone again, but she/he accidentally drops all of their stuff on the ground. So, you help her/him even though you don’t know the person you’re helping, to begin with. This is called respect when you help someone out of plain courtesy. Sounds a lot different from flirting right?

Being flirty can go two different ways depending on the person’s emotions. If one seems confident and upbeat, chances are he/she is flirting with her/him just to get an instant relationship which will probably last for less than 6 months. However, you got to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe, this person prepared for this and feels confident. We’ll never know. On the flip side, if one seems nervous and timid when he/she tries to talk to the other, it is likely that he/she really cares about that person and their opinion which is now a crush. It will be more difficult to start the relationship, but if it does, the couple could be together for so much longer.

Break-ups have fueled social media puns and jokes for years on end. Could the first form of flirting be the problem? Who knows? Because, I for one do not.
Respect is respect when it is given out of common courtesy. When it’s given in order to get something in return (with the exception of respect itself), it could potentially be called flirting. Think about it. You help the cute girl/guy by the locker which would obviously make her/him notice you. How you respond to that attention determines whether you’re flirting or showing respect.

However, there’s some conflict between the two. People are getting smarter, and flirting can be disguised as respecting. Going back to the locker scenario, you show respect to the other person by helping them without showing confidence or shyness. Seems respectful right? Of course, but the difference is why. Why did you help them?

There’s the key. Instead of showing respect out of courtesy, people can show respect out of attraction. How can you tell the difference? Simple. Look how he/she treats people around them. If he/she treats those people with the same respect as the cute girl/guy then that’s courtesy. Then vice versa. If it’s different, then it’s flirting.

Like I said before. This is simply an observation. Life's unpredictable and full of exceptions.