Why do I get attention from guys online but not in person?

[Anonymous]

I basically never get approached in public. I’m not super approachable to begin with, and I honestly don’t think I’m pretty. Guys look at me sometimes but that’s about it. But the few times I’ve posted pictures of myself on an anonymous forum (reddit), I got several dms and even some offhand compliments telling me that I am beautiful. So what gives? Is this just how it is online, or is there another reason I get so little attention in public? I really don’t understand…

[Screenwriter]

It is SAFE to compliment someone you'll never meet and who doesn't see or know you. No stress or risk.

Shy people usually cannot navigate in-person contact as well. And some are painfully shy and can ONLY connect online. Again. Easy with no face-to-face, no responses that they might misconstrue as criticism, or an overtly sexual compliment.

Direct in-person contact is terribly diffcult for some. This might be why you get such comments online. Why don't you attend Meetups, where people gather to do something they have in common, such as art, volleyball, softball, there are even Meetup dating groups.

Meetup costs NOTHING. And you get to meet a broad variety of people with interests you have in common. It is a great place to make new friends and friends intoduce you to SOs, often.

Online is too far-fetched. It's unlikely that you'll ever meet people on Reddit. Go someplace where you WILL meet people you have a chance with. Good luck.

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

I think online gives us more freedom to be who we want to be offline, plus it connects the world in a way that offline can't. Unfortunately that means you will get guys who would never approach in person out of fear of being rejected or just straight up horny guys who will say anything to get you to sleep with them (or send them photos to do it themselves).

I don't think it means anything about your looks either good or bad. I'm sure you are pretty enough to garner attention either way.

[MountainMetal]

You say that you aren't approachable to begin with. Are you just constantly scowling st everyone?

[Asker]

No. I don't know what I’m doing wrong. I try to smile and people and be friendly. But I'm not pretty enough for it to matter. I mind my business but otherwise it’s hard to say

[MountainMetal]

I'm trying to imagine you smiling and being friendly to people. I think I'd see the exact opposite, It sounds like you'd be easy to approach. Why do you think that you aren't pretty? It sounds like in your own example you are the only one that thinks this

[Asker]

I don’t think I’m pretty because I almost never get attention from guys

[Anonymous]

Maybe you are just intimidating or in bad places for guys to talk to you.

[serious]

Well, part of the question you have answered yourself. The fact you are not super approachable and also you said you think you are not pretty.

Men are visual creatures, a woman's physical beauty does matter to a man.

[alice55]

online there's tons of desperate people that ae very alone irl cause they never go out so they just try to get attention from anyone that is ok to give it to them.

[Anonymous]

How are we supposed to know? We don’t know you nor are psychic.

[Asker]

I’m just asking if this is a common experience or if anyone else has experienced it. Maybe I should have limited this question to women

[V1ka5h]

Tell those person in your dm to meet in real, problem solved you got an approach now in real

[Jeff51]

You can ask men to for dates

[Asker]

I can. Thing is this is considered hot/confident when a pretty girl does it, but desperate and pathetic when an average looking girl does it. I’ve never really does this but I don’t think it’s worth the risk tbh

[MasterKS]

dont have some goodies at front and back?