Hello Beautiful - player?

[Beautifulish]

I've loosley known this man for a long time, but recently, since we've both been single, we've been having (I think) a mild flirtation. Both middle aged, if that makes a difference.

Anyway it's his birthday. I messaged him Happy Birthday. I usually send my birthday messages privately becuase I have no imagination and say the same thing to everyone 😆

Anyway, he opened his reply with "hello beautiful". We don't have that kind of "banter" face to face and I was never beautiful even young. I don't think I'm awful looking, but beauty, no.

Maybe it's an indicator that he's noticed a bit of a spark too. It's a bit smarmy though and more likely that he uses it a lot?

He probably thinks he’s a smooth talker and a bit of a charmer.
He probably has also noticed a bit of interest from you, and seen that there is a spark, and now thinks flattery is the way forward.

Yes,I agree from the text, but that's not how he comes across face to face at all. Nervous if anything.

I dunno. I keep saying "I'm only 20" as if that negates my comments, but I don't want to seem all-knowing. But ime, men LOVE attention. If I dare smile or just acknowledge a guy he is all over me as if I've just said "voulez vous couchez avec moi?"!
So I suspect that he thinks "wow she likes me" and he's trying to encourage that.

Honestly, the husband of a couple we are very friendly with but don't see often as we live 5 hours away has started saying this in his messages to me! We seemed to be the ones in our couples that message about things we all do together, possibly because my husband and his wife are both dyslexic so don't message much. There certainly isn't anything between us, we met when we were all married and as far as I know are all faithful and happy. I just assumed it was perhaps a turn of phrase that some people are using now although maybe as you are both single it's different.

It would give me the ick and put my guard up. Sounds like it's made you cautious too.

I would interpret it as a bloke chancing his arm - a player.

I'd take the compliment without trying to convince myself he must need glasses! (ie. don't put yourself down OP)

Me being me though, I'd respond with "ewww, don't go all Swiss Tony on me 😂"