How do you tell if the person across the bar is interested in you? Can you pick up on the signals?

Some local observers say it’s all in gender.

“Men will do more verbal statements than women,” said David Henningsen, an assistant communication professor. “Women will do more non-verbal cues like flip their hair or smile.”

But in general, research shows men and women flirt differently and sometimes they do it for different reasons.

“We flirt in different ways in different places,” Henningsen said.

His own research suggests men are more direct and will be the first to strike up a conversation. Meanwhile, a woman’s behavior, specifically her facial expressions, acts as an indicator to show whether she’s interested, according to an article by Monica M. Moore in The Journal of Sex Research.This could mean a woman’s smile, glance, touch or distance from a man could indicate interest in who she’s talking to.

But the generalization doesn’t always hold true.

“Girls usually touch you, become interested in what you’re saying, find out about your life or what you like or dislike,” said John Gelsomino, a communication graduate student.

He added that women seem more relaxed than men, and men seem to be too nervous when they’re flirting — a woman can tell when they are interested. If the man is interested, he’ll ask the woman questions about her life, ambitions or what she likes to do, Gelsomino said.

“Girls like when you remember things,” he said. “Everyone has their own game.”

Men are bigger flirts than women, said Nikki Ciesiun, a senior pre-medicine major and bartender at Starbusters Bar and Grill, 930 Pappas Drive. Guys usually ask her to do a shot with them or even ask for her phone number. If Ciesiun is interested in a man, she gives good eye contact, compliments him, laughs a lot or touches him on their back or shoulder, she said. She doesn’t believe in non-verbal signs.

“Guys are more brave than women,” Ciesiun said, adding that women should talk to men they’re interested in.

Lisa Donahue, a senior journalism major, agreed.

“If I talk to a guy, I try to find a common ground with him,” Donahue said.

She tries to make men laugh, give them good eye contact and smile — and thinks it’s best to get a man’s number, then decide later if she really wants to pursue him.

Having a conversation is the key, Donahue added.

“You’re not going to get anywhere unless you talk,” she said.

Be yourself and don’t act like something you’re not, she noted. And find a way to show when you’re not interested.

“It’s hard because you get trapped in conversation and you don’t want to be rude,” Donahue said.

If a man just won’t leave her alone, Donahue usually looks around the room or ignores him as much as she can, she said. Gelsomino usually shows as little interest in the conversation as possible and tries to keep his distance.

Henningsen recommends showing disinterest by crossing your arms, walking or turning away or refusing to smile.

When Ciesiun is at work and isn’t interested in a flirter, she says has to go do her job or walks away. Another strategy: Even though she doesn’t have a boyfriend, she’ll say her boyfriend doesn’t appreciate her talking to other guys. “Girls usually touch you, become interested in what you’re saying, find out about your life or what you like or dislike.”