I think of flirting as like the dance that wild exotic birds do. The males are usually flashier, bolder than the females(not always). Its done to gain the attention of the opposite sex. Then the courtship ritual begins.
Flirting and joking in the forums for me, leads to an private conversation, email or ph. call.
Then the online flirting is toned down, because I have that individuals attention already. The flirts are more subtle, less obvious to others in the threads. But I continue to flirt with others.
If I was dating sommeone from here, out of respect for their feelings, I might tone it down a little.

I agree flirting is about getting attention. Which brings me back to my point of if you had found someone you cared about why would you still need attention of that venue from other sources? Is nobody happy and satisfied with what they have? I conceed to jim that if you haven't committed to one person why limit yourself, but I have been trying to assertain why people who have committed or supposedly limited thier interest to one still feel that need.

pffffffst, why is the sky blue?
Who knows???