People often wrongly think that flirting is only for single folks, but the truth is that flirting can keep you and your partner bonded and satisfied, inside and outside the bedroom.

A University of Kansas study found that there are five distinct flirting styles. 

1. Physical flirting, in which sexual desire is made evident
2. Traditional flirting, in which one person “courts” the other, who takes a more passive role 
3. Polite flirting, in which good manners play a large role
4. Sincere flirting, in which strong emotional connections are established 
5. And playful flirting, in which being fun and silly are most important. 

Does flirting matter? Yes, here’s why:

Not surprisingly, flirting styles greatly impacted relationship success. Individuals who engaged in playful flirting and flirted for flirting’s sake were less likely to have meaningful relationships, unlike people who engaged in sincere flirting or polite flirting. Those who engaged in physical flirting were not only likely to have meaningful relationships, but they also were more likely to have sexual chemistry with their partners.