I met this Korean chick while waiting to talk to a staff member at the gym. She was waiting too so I just decided to do a Cold Approach and just chatted her up. She is apparently studying in a country that I also live in.

Went very Well, we talked for a bit, eye contact all good. I Got her number and we texted a bit back and forth before I soft nexted her for a week or so, to not seem desperate.

I hit her up today, texting her and asking if she wants to go out with me on x day at x place for some food.

I got this exact message response:

“Because we have a different culture, I think you misunderstood my action... i just need a friend, not someone who want a date with me...”

How do I approach this? Just hard next? Or is there any way to bypass this apparent cultural block?

Inb4 “just tell her you Want to be friends and then get to her slowly”. I’d rather hard next than do this. Too Much work.

Pls contribute Thx