In a vacuum, with just the knowledge that it happened, I would say that it was flirtatious, though not necessarily a real sign of interest. However, the scale could rock either way with more information. For example, what kind of guy is this boyfriend? I, for one, am flirtatious by nature. People who know me, which includes anyone I would consider a true girlfriend, know that it's part of my social personality and find it charming. If he is in some way like that then it most likely means nothing and it is socially acceptable as those who know him probably appreciate that aspect of his behavior.
Another question is if this is something he would do to other girls and, if so, in what context he does it with them. He could just be a touchy guy or not think twice of doing something like this to anyone. On the other hand, if he does things like this to his other friends who are girls in as a semi-sexual expression then again there might be reason to fret. Along these lines, does he do this sort of thing with his buddies. For example, a friend of mine has no qualms randomly putting his arm around men, reaching into their pockets to grab a pack of smokes, or even getting drunk and slapping their asses. While this behavior makes the rest of us a little uncomfortable we know he is completely straight and it's just part of his mannerism, especially when he's been drinking. This behavior also comes out around his female friends, even sometimes ones who don't get it at first and take offense until they realize he does it to everyone.
Last, and perhaps the most important question is, had he been drinking? How much? Guys flirt more when they've had a few and flirt a lot more when they've had a few too many. It doesn't mean anything, but flirting is something guys take pride in and when we become a little uninhibited we tend to do it just for sport and not out of any real interest because we just want to feel like we can get a woman's interest. Granted perhaps we shouldn't do this, but if we're particularly toasty we can also forget import things like context and tact.
In the end though there is no way anyone here can really address this question honestly and accurately. I hope that some of our thoughts, questions, and instincts are things you can roll over in your mind as someone party to the actual events and then verify, answer, or dismiss them through your experience. Best of luck though, keep us posted on your thoughts!
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"The courts that first rode the warhorse of virtual representation into battle on the res judicata front invested their steed with near-magical properties." ~27 F.3d 751
Last edited by MuadDib; 05-21-2008 at 03:21 PM..
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