Beware of that flirty little 'x'

Most office affairs started with a flirty "x" at the end of emails, a new survey has revealed.

Including an "x" – representing a kiss – at the end of a message is cited as the starting point for love affairs, said respondents to a recent poll, but the symbol is often simply meant as a friendly gesture.

The study, conducted by dating website WhatsYourPrice.com, questioned 1000 participants in UK on the importance of the "x" in emails and whether it might initiate sexual liaisons.

Their findings revealed that 60 percent of men and 55 percent of women who had a fling with someone in the office used a "x" in their messages to their love interest and 85 percent of men and 90 percent of women agreed that the chance of sex was higher if they received a message with an "x" in it before the first date.

Using more than one “x” in messages also seemed to indicate more flirting according to 70 percent of men and 82 percent of women surveyed.

But be careful with those kisses because it can be wrongly seen as an invitation when you are just trying to be friendly.

According to the study covered by the Daily Mail, 25 percent of men and 35 percent of women revealed that they had used an "x" merely intending to be friendly.

More than 80 percent of those surveyed said they used an "x" in messages to their colleagues while 10 percent of men and 40 percent of women even sent messages containing an "x" to their boss.

"We are learning so much about the whole etiquette of dating through the internet," WhatsYourPrice founder Brandon Wade said.

"It allows couples to establish intimacy much more quickly and freely express exactly what they want. That has to be a good thing."

Dating expert Helen Croydon said many people are still uncertain about interpreting the "x", saying that while the symbol is a good way of establishing trust and intimacy in a new relationship, it is also a simple way to reaffirm friendship.

She also warned that a misplaced "x" in an email could appear unprofessional, and that when she receives an "x"from a man she sees it as flirtatious.