Well, first of all, if a girl is sincerely into you, you'll most likely end up meeting one of her friends first. From what I've seen, girls often ask their friends for opinions and they either get asked to introduce you to her or they go up and introduce her to you without being asked.
Also, people who actually flirt aren't so violent nor forceful.In fact, they tend to be rather muted unless they're serious. And even then, there isn't really hitting involved except in the metaphorical sense. I would've believed she was flirting if she wasn't doing such direct actions. That just screamed she was screwing with you.
Here are some tips;
How they go about things means a lot in this. It means the entire difference between the two, the real deals and the evil witches.
1. If they stare at you for a short amount of time and then immediately look away, perhaps act like they're writing or reading, then they're probably flirting. If they stare and they know you know they're staring, then they're not.
2. They won't be calling you their boyfriend until somewhere along the line, you call her your girlfriend. [at least, as far as I know]. If they shout it in public on purpose but, never mention it elsewhere, they're probably messing around with you.
3. From what I've seen, gum-sharing is reserved for the couples who are at the smooching stage.
4. If they want you to do something for them, or are trying to tell you about something they like, they'll most likely drop hints if they're real. Maybe a little hint in a conversation that would normally slip past the radar. If they're blatantly demanding you something [like when this girl slapped you, demanding you take her to prom], then they're either a really abusive person and should be avoided or, they're trying to con you.
Yeah... complicated things made simpler once you consider this; How feirce they are really paints a picture as to what they're really doing.
