It doesn't matter "how you flirt", flirting with customers while at work is rude regardless.

Hey, I didn't excuse the flirting. It's pretty stupid in my opinion to mix business with pleasure. But it is still pretty terrible if your flirting is read as rude.

You missed the point. It wasn't that the flirting was being taken as rude, it's that OP was being rude for flirting.

Why?

Let's count the reasons, how about starting with inappropriate.

He's getting paid to serve drinks or whatever, not pick up chicks. He might have made her uncomfortable or just be inappropriate like comment on her tits. He might have been nasty or dismissive if she shot him down--we got one side. Anyway, there's some reasons, 32.

It's unprofesional and awkward.

In some situations, flirting on workplace can even make female customers scared: for example, hotels or taxis. A taxi driver was trying to flirt with me the other night, but the situation felt almost like harassment. He kept telling me how much he likes girls of Eastern European origin and how pretty he considered me to be (in a late night taxi, when I had already given him my home address and I live alone), he tried to get me to reveal my workplace and full name. As we got there, I only had a larger note. He was deliberately stalling with exchange money, while asking "Which pubs do you go to? Where could I see you again?" I ended up telling him to keep the change and running inside. Still considering a complaint as well.

you also probably left the complaint on OP's Facebook page

Or if they start flirting first. In that case they don't mind and would probably be more upset if you didn't flirt back.

But even then, you do have to stay somewhat professional.

I see you follow rule #2 as well.

I think the only exception to this would be bartenders/ erotic dancers-- customer wise. Aside from that, it can make coworkers and customers ( who your job is to please and make sure they want to come back with exceptional service ) highly uncomfortable or disgruntled. So really, anyone should "follow" Rule #2, it's common sense.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is rule #2(I tried googling, but there are a lot of different rule #2s)?

It's funny because my customers put ME in an uncomfortable position. I'm paid to help these people, not to be getting hit on for hire. There's two sides to every story.

I had a fast food cashier slip his number into my to-go bag and was flirting with me while I was waiting. asking me my name and where I worked. finding his number in my bag did make me a bit uncomfortable and I didn't want to go back there alone.

#49. Rule #2 is my life rule about not flirting with women at your or her workplace. Rule #1 is; never go streaking in winter without your keys.

Completely inappropriate while on the job..

What do you think you are, some sort of Jedi? Waving your hand around like that.

That's terrible advice, 9.

"You and I* need to get a cup of coffee. But not here because I won't be working here much longer."