how essential is flirting?

lol sara. how do u know how much flirting is harmless? i have a friend in college from a very nice family, doesn't believe in having a boy friend either etc. she used to study with a hindu guy and she was so sure she wouldn't get serious about him because he is a hindu, so she flirted with him while studying and keep thinking kay nothing with happen, and it's all just a little bit flirting but eventually she did start really liking him and both of them got in to a situation where she could have done what she would have regret for rest of her life but thank god she didn't. but my thinking about flirting is my own personal opinion. maybe you guys are strong enough to stop your self from getting in to a bad situation. i am a very weak human, and i don't expect a farishta behaviour from my own self. but it just gets very frustrated when you are trying to look for a life partner who would have same values :(