Why Do Spanish University Students Flirt in Nightlife Venues?

Recent years have seen increased scientific interest in sexual behaviors in nightlife settings. The majority of studies focus on criminal behaviors, such as sexual harassment and violence. The present study, by contrast, examined practices of flirtation among Spanish university students in nightlife settings with the primary aim of understanding why these practices are undertaken. The data come from nine focus-group interviews and 20 individual interviews. The results showed that flirtation served multiple purposes beyond mere playfulness or expressions of interest. The most salient of these were: seeking immediate pleasure; hooking up; working through current or former relationships; and acquiring sexual capital. This research advances understanding of the complicated art of flirtation, which is an activity highly valued among students, yet also potentially precarious and, at times, a source of harm.