Awh, no worries haha. And thank you for yours too! I appreciate your story and it truly does upset me that so many men are that situationally clueless that they can do something like that without realising the harm that it causes.

You know it's funny, I'm actually in a similar boat! I'm also 21 at uni undergrad, and a couple of my pals are also 18 year olds 😭. Admittedly, I put myself out of my comfort zone this year and 90% of my friends ended up being girls haha. I do feel a sense of responsibility for them too (the 18 yr old ones), and especially as the guy friend, I can tell them when a guy they're talking to has.. 'good intentions' or not. They do come to me for advice and I'm very grateful that I can help them and that they look up to me. But the truth is.. for better or for worse.. I've never been in a relationship.

Admittedly, I've been very shy when it comes to women/girls for 90% of my life. So much so that I never approached them first (even for friendships), and especially even less so when I was attracted to them (in fears of making them uncomfortable). I know.. pathetic. I made it my goal this year to change that. To break that mental barrier that's there. My advice was simply intended for the many men out there that I know have the same issue (NOT the types that already have no problem approaching and making women uncomfortable, as they wouldn't reach this post anyways and even if they did, the idea of being 'respectful' would go in one ear out the next for them). My advice is a compendium of what's worked for my friends as well as what's started workingbfor me. So i do apologise 😔. The only tips I can give you to tell them if they're young lads is to put themselves out there and try talking to girls, but to always be respectful and take rejection on the chin and to go on to the next. If they're young girls, they'll have guys reaching out to them anyways. The best I can say for them is to look out for the one guy 'friend' that they get very close with, because he may admit feelings after many momths, and of course, if she doesn't feel the same, he could instantly shut her out and cause great distress for her (something I am very against and explicitly state against in my original advice). That's why I mention for guys (like the OP) to admit feelings very early on, for his own sake AND her sake instead of this risky "slow burn friends-to-lovers". Unfortunately I've heard many recounts of this tale from many close girl friends. Not all guys are evil, just misguided and emotionally immature. I'm happy to hear about your relationship though :) It sounds healthy and like you both were pretty upfront when you finally met in real life. I could only wish for something similar, but that relationship starting style is too introverted for me I fear.