Search Results: should I talk to him

Recently I've had a coworker join the team. We share a lot of the same interests. A couple months ago he asked for my number but I thought it was work purposes. Later that night he texted me about an anime. We've slowly been texting more and more. Started to play games together now, share instagtam reels probably daily. We have a really fun time talking and he seems to come over to my desk to talk quite a bit. A couple weeks ago I shared a reel of some nerdy food place and he says we should go! I said we should!! Schedules have been off to be able to but he still wants to. I know work should be a no, but I'm interested. Am I friend zoned? I don't want to be that girl thats more a bro...

Recently I've had a coworker join the team. We share a lot of the same interests. A couple months ago he asked for my number but I thought it was work purposes. Later that night he texted me about an anime. We've slowly been texting more and more. Started to play games together now, share instagtam reels probably daily. We have a really fun time talking and he seems to come over to my desk to talk quite a bit. A couple weeks ago I shared a reel of some nerdy food place and he says we should go! I said we should!! Schedules have been off to be able to but he still wants to. I know work should be a no, but I'm interested. My question is... does he just want a good work friend?

According to an article written by Katya Koval, several men stated that they no longer approach women due to the following:

“Women want to be approached. But if you approach them and they don’t like you or think you’re attractive enough, you will be called a creep.” — Jake.

Roberto, 42 years old and single, was asked why he didn’t dare approach women. He replied, “I have never gotten a clear signal from a woman. My female friends have pointed out positive body language as signals, but they are too ambiguous for me to act on.”

Kane, 35 years old and single, shares, “I don’t approach women anymore because it’s too tedious with little chance of payoff. It’s either they ignore you, reject you, shame you, or, worse, accuse you of molestation. If a woman likes me, she should make an effort to approach me.”

Mel, 29 years old, shares, “Women demanding men to chase them while they never approach men themselves is what you could call ‘entitlement.’ I don’t mean that women should start asking men out, but just approaching us to talk would be nice. For women who want equality: If he doesn’t approach you, approach him.”

Evi, 23 years old, claims “It’s easier to get women and land a date online than cold approaching them. I’m currently in College and our campus consists of 80% women. It’s not necessary to approach women anymore.”

Nathan, 22 years old, admits, “It’s mainly the negative consequences that’s stopping me. It’s scary when you hear stories about guys and fake accusations on campus. I worked hard to get into College. I’m not going to risk getting expelled for something I didn’t do.”

katya-koval.medium.com/why-men-dont-approach-women-anymore-159975861c08

So backstory: I work in a shop and this woman has been trying to set me up with her nephew for years, I’ve always said no because I genuinely wasn’t looking but when she asked last week I was curious so I asked a bit about him and he seems like a great guy, I said no to her setting us up mostly because she wanted to bring him to the shop and 1 I’m literally working and 2 I think it’d be awkward for the both of us to talk in front of his aunt and my mom, but I did follow him on Instagram and he followed me back. Now I’m thinking about DMing first since I think he’s on the shy side but I’ve no idea on what to say since we’ve never spoken before and tbh I’m kinda shy too so I’m really nervous, also I have no clue if his aunt mentioned me and that’s why he followed back