Flattery

"Flattery" is the act of praising someone; often in an insincere way because you wish to gain something from the act.  This is the "meaning given by the Cambridge dictionary.

Do you flatter?  Do you receive flattery?  Why?  How do you respond to it?

Joshua Rogers shared about his experience with flattery in his blog.  He was out with his friend, Holly, when the conversation led him to give her a list of compliments.  Upon receiving these compliments, Holly asked Joshua about his motives.  "... are you interested in me?" was her question.

Joshua, in his naivety, explained that he sincerely believed his words when he paid those compliments.  Holly, however, did not want to be flattered that way, unless the man was interested in her.

Would you call it flattery in such a situation?

Why wouldn't a woman like to receive compliments?

How can a man express himself without being interested?

I wish I understood the dating game better in my years before getting married.  I would befriend people because I like to be friendly ... but never expecting the friendships to develop into anything intimate.  Perhaps some women friends might have wished that I was after relationships that were deeper.  Perhaps they weren't.  Maybe the things that I had said were taken as flattery - sincere ones or otherwise.  Maybe not.

What are the rules of the dating game?  Does every couple understand those rules the same way?  Can one be honest and understood all the time?  When should one wish for relationships that are deeper, and when should one not?

What rules or guidelines would you advise the inexperienced?

Please share.