The first stage of dating is hard.
You want to show your potential significant other that you're interested in them enough to pursue courtship. Yet, you don't want to come off as desperate.
For one bisexual woman, such social graces are particularly challenging, to say the least.
Twitter user @gilltheamazon, who identifies herself as a bisexual woman, spilled the beans on the difficulties of complimenting women while dating.
"As a bisexual woman, I still cannot tell if another woman is flirting with me or just being nice," she tweeted earlier this month.
"On that same note I have no idea how to convey to a woman I'm not just being nice, I'm flirting with you. Like yes I think you're pretty and your shoes are hot but also kiss me?"
She added that women are socialized to compliment one another in public places, as opposed to heterosexual men who do pay compliments, but all too often with ulterior motives.
"I will literally only say this once more: women are confused because it is our CULTURE to compliment each other in bars, at parties literally everywhere. We are KIND to each other."
"Men don't compliment my earrings just for funzies. This tweet was not for men to claim. Bye."
Her introspective tweet went viral with over 24K likes.
Soon, her thread was filled with comments relating to her situation and helpful tips on how to combat this specific social obstacle.
Even some men shared the same dilemma.
It depends on the situation.
It's not necessarily what is verbalized.
Yet, even eye contact comes with its own misleading perceptions.
To avoid confusion, there is this alternative. Or not.
If you have something nice to say, out with it, regardless of the outcome.
With Valentine's Day coming up, it could be freeing to throw caution to the wind and be direct.
You got this!