Mixed signals are so...mixed. (That was a clever title)

I guess I'm a flirty person by nature. In the past I've been accused of heavily flirting with someone and I'm just taken aback. "Uh, no I was not flirting, I was just talking! I don't even like that person!" But then when I TRY to flirt with a guy, I'm super awkward and I avoid eye contact and I end up just ignoring them half the time by trying not to seem overly pushy and desperate. It's such a catch 22.

Usually, though, I won't flirt back with a person that has a girlfriend. I mean, come on, that's claimed land right there. But, I'm very confused when said person starts flirting back with me and with the other girls around him. You'd think that guy is a player, but you can tell he genuinely isn't like that (or maybe he's such good actor, you can't tell whether he's good or not). I like to give the benefit of the doubt by assuming that it's unconscious signals, because I've been there. Guys will think I'm flirting when I'm just having a conversation. But then, when asked about his girlfriend, he acknowledges it and then drops the subject like a hot tamale. Is he just weary of your supposed advances or trying to forget he has a girlfriend? I think it's the first option, but I just find it fascinating how confusing guys can be.

Are girls always this confusing to guys? I'm curious to know.