Why is it so hard to send a potential crush a friend request on Facebook? Should we even send them a friend request first? We've "friended" other guys, what's the difference?

When I first got Facebook, which feels like forever ago, I friended everyone I could think of. I sent requests to my friends, my siblings, to my siblings' friends, etc., and it didn't matter if I sent it to a guy I liked because I'd just gotten Facebook and that's what you were supposed to do, right?

However, now that I've had it for a while, I don't have that excuse anymore. So when I meet a cute guy in person and we end up hanging out in similar circles, I have a hard time figuring out whether I should send him a friend request, or let him do it first.

There are several reasons for why I won't/don't send it first. Such as not wanting to tip my hand or come on too strong.

Also, call me old-fashioned, but I feel like I am pursuing them to some degree when I send them the request first. I know I have to give them enough to let them know I'm interested, but not too much that it's super obvious and I look desperate. Which is sometimes a frustratingly fine line.

Not everyone feels this way, and I can understand that, but it just seems to be a hurdle that I can't get over.

Another reason is that I kind of feel like its a test of some kind to see if he is interested enough to send me a friend request first. As girls, we test guys all the time, so why give up this perfect opportunity?

Am I the only one who uses this as a test? Isn't it absolutely normal to test guys like that?

Now for the flipside.

My best friend is constantly telling me that it's just a friend request. It's not like I'm asking him out or begging for his attention. So it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Another reason to do it is that if he accepts it, a door is now open for more interaction. Which wouldn't be a bad thing.

This last reason then leads me to the whole thought process about his motivations since I'm the one who opened the door and made the first move so to speak. It's like a big black hole that just sucks you in and never lets go.

I wonder if guys go through this whole mental process as well. Although, they are supposed to be the pursuers and all that, so it's probably a little different...

Weighing both options with all the reasons, and realizing how much time I've spent overthinking this, I've reached the conclusion that it's probably best that I don't friend them first.

I put a lot of value on establishing a connection with a potential crush, even if it is just through social media, and I want them to make the first move.

On a side note, what's really terrible, though, is that typically if I do send a guy my age a friend request, it's most likely because I see him as just a friend. So he got friended, but he also got friend-zoned.

What's your opinion on friending a potential crush? Do you think we should or shouldn't? Do any of y'all have crazy stories of friending them and things working out or not working out? Feel free to comment your stories and opinions!