When getting to know someone, people say, be yourself. People say, don't overthink it.
But then there's so many little cues like: match their energy, tease just the right amount, respond quickly but not too quickly, show interest without seeming clingy, compliment but don’t overdo it, laugh at the right things, somehow decode all these unspoken signals that change by the minute—
How the hell are you not supposed to overthink it, and somehow be perfectly in-tune with all these social nuances?? I don't get it, it shouldn't be this difficult, right??