Let me first say that not all of us meet women through online dating. There are those of us who don't do well online. Online dating introduces a specific dynamic, which is that the first time you meet a girl is one-on-one where you can afford to be more direct and forthright.

For those of us who meet women offline, we do so in groups, such as groups of friends or classes etc. In these situations it feels like you have to flirt in a way where you can still keep a relationship or friendship after a rejection, that there will be no awkwardness or hard feelings after. So this is why you always have to only indicate mildly that you are interested, drop hints and more importantly read her interest level. If you feel she is likely to reject, you probably won't ask in the first place. Anyone feel this way?