I genuinely would love constructive answers or perspectives on this because I’ve never been successful at this but I really am interested. You know how people “shoot their shots” outside of dating apps and some people strike up conversations and some people even make friends or start relationships that way? I found someone in a Facebook group who I’m really attracted to. He lives in a completely different country, but I want to get to know him. I messaged him on Instagram saying something about what I figured a mutual interest of ours is and he just answered.

He seems like a friendly and humble person – I wouldn’t know for sure of course because I haven’t met him irl. But if there’s ever been anyone I wanted to forge a real life friendship with starting off digitally, it’d be this guy. How do I tackle this? How do I continue the conversation and try to build a friendship at least or hopefully express my interest? D: The only time I’ve ever made friends online that turned out to be real life friends was through really repeated contact in a shared interest and even those faded over time because I didn’t keep it up. Like I said I’m interested in this guy romantically, but how the heck do people “shoot their shots”?? And keep it going? Really would appreciate thoughtful answers 🙂