To feel uncomfortable when men wink at me?

[Mamiamamia]

What does it mean when men wink at you? I always feel uncomfortable, like they are being flirty, or am I missing something of English etiquette and is just friendliness?

I am not originally from the U.K. and in my culture if a man winked at you it would be taken as him being flirty/suggestive.

I have this happen all the time living in the U.K. and it always makes me feel uncomfortable, today alone I have had the postman and my sons Beavers leader wink at me after having very non flirty practical conversations with them. Is this just seen as friendliness in the UK?

I think it's contextual. If it's a flirty comment then it's a flirty wink, I suppose? However, I also know men and women who will wink after a jokey remark or a sarcastic comment. Also, if they've said something that could be considered rude, they may wink as a way of softening the comment.

As with most things in British culture, it can have a range of meanings. From flirting to humour and sarcasm -it's situational. Sorry to be zero help!

Mostly, it's friendliness. You'll most likely know when it's a flirty wink. Doesn't happen as often as it used to!

If a bloke winks without saying anything and has been looking at you for more than about 5 seconds, it’s probably a form of sexual harassment (ok, not literally, but it’s definitely a sexual approach)
either turn your back, walk away or if you can’t, or he does it again, say in a voice loud enough for everyone around to hear, “is there something wrong with your eye? And why are you staring at me?” Hopefully loud voice will embarrass him. Alternatively if you fancy him then just go 😉back.

if however, someone is talking, says something to you or someone else, it can be a bit of a “ha, I’m winding this person up “ or “i know I’m being cheeky”, .so something like a builder has a cuppa at your house and says “no chance of a biscuit is there?”. 😉- well he’s a joker and cheeky (possibly a cf) and up to you if you wink back and say “I always save my best biscuits for you” 😉 or merely roll your eyes and say no🙄 or go”wtf😱.

Some times if people are feeling a situation or interaction is becoming a bit adversarial or difficult, they might use a 😉to diffuse aggression or dwnolay assertiveness like making a complaint - you can get away with saying something quite assertive if you have a smile and then a bit of 😉🤷🏼‍♀️type stuff

so, let’s of uses . But random blokes not saying anything, making eye contact then waking, yep, sexual. Give them your best “resting bitch face “ back.

Sometimes a wink can be conspiratorial but not flirty - so if person A is teasing / winding up person B and you know it’s a wind-up, they may wink at you to share the joke

Following this thread with interest. I often get winked at by men and it seems to me to be non sexual - more like friendly/as though you're sharing a joke