You’re basically right, and all I’m saying is that a technological solution like: my phone buzzes and tells me “the person over there is open to meeting new people and isn’t busy at the moment” would be rad as hell. Just a little reassurance that I’m not an intruder so I don’t get caught in my own head and trip over my own neurosis.
Also, online is totally different from IRL. We’re all just lines of text on a screen here; NPCs in the posting RPG. Even better, by responding you’ve already proven that you’re open to responses.
… although I just realized we can’t disable inbox replies and now I’m freaking out! 😂