Hair twiddling is good, were there any crossed areas - arms, legs? That's usually a no-no indicator.
Crossing is a no-no only if the pose is held while looking. If she crosses and uncrosses while looking at you then it could represent an opening up to you (dropping of barriers etc.).
Been a loooong while since I was in the game, but I'm guessing human nature hasn't changed that much - and I guess I find it easier to identify now that I'm watching rather than searching...
Most of the classic flirting signs sound really obvious, but it's amazing how often we miss them - I've watched girls that I know my mates like flirting outrageously with them, and the hapless fella is still completely oblivious and wondering if she likes him or not.
The real trick is not just to look for 'the signs' that we all know - it's clusters of signs in short succession aimed in your direction that are the real indicator. Also, be aware that some girls naturally do things that look flirty to us, you need to see if they're being done to other folk too - it could just be her personality.
From a distance look for:
- furtive glancing - does she keep looking in your direction? Be aware though that shyer people sometimes look everywhere but the person they fancy, and will only sneak a peek when they think no-one will notice.
- extended eye contact - women are really good at this, try to smile without looking like an idiot. If she looks slowly away, or even better looks slowly downwards then you're definitely targeted. The looking down is a submissive gesture.
- preening - hair, clothes etc. Only really counts if she does it towards you in association with other signs - she may just have caught you looking and is now paranoid that her dress is caught in her knickers.
- flesh flash - skirt, shoulder, wherever, if she looks like she's deliberately flashing a little skin in your direction then she might be. A variation of this is the neck show - tilting the head to one side (possibly combined with moving the hair away) is a way of showing you some flesh.
- dangling shoes - hanging the high heels off her toes is another classic sign, most people think it's where the toes point that counts - forget that, it's all about the eyes.
Up close:
- breaking the contact barrier - from a furtive touch during conversation to the unsubtle brushing past you trick that women do a lot and men seem to notice never. If she breaks that contact barrier she could be flirting - unless you're standing in the way of the bar or bogs.
- exposed palms - if she keeps showing you her palms or displaying other 'open' gestures she may be sub-consciously telling you that she's not completely closed off to your advances.
- whispers - if she shares something with you via whispering (particularly if she needs to lean really close to do it) then she's showing that she's willing to establish rapport, and a secret.
There are loads of others - like dancing alone etc. and to be honest they all look pretty obvious when written down, but recognising them in a crowded room when fuddled by alcohol is a different matter entirely...
