i think it’s soooo important to build a system of open communication with the person you are ‘talking’ to before you guys actually start dating. You both need to understand that you may have completely different styles of communication and in order to have a smooth relationship you need to speak each other’s language if that makes sense. Like what means x to you may mean y to the other person and if you start dating before you establish this understanding it’ll end a lot faster than it should have because you both just don’t get each other.
and this goes just beyond words. Like your way of giving affection and what you consider “getting affection” may be comptelty different than theirs. For you telling them that you love them and wanting the same is your way of showing mutual affection. However they might show it by taking care of you or buying gifts. They both have the same meanings but are just communicated differently. SO it’s just….really important to get this.
