If someone sends you a message saying "Hey, thought you'd like this".....

[ContessaLovesTheSunshine]

....how do you reply?

Let's assume for the sake of argument that the sender is a member of your social circle whom you've known for a few years and have chatted to plenty of times (i.e. definitely not a randomer/spam).

I’d agree with pps and say they aren’t interested in developing contact with you beyond meeting in your mutual friendship group.

When I was young (and a bit awkward) I used to assume that if I’d had a good social event with others and I’d had a good conversation with someone, it meant we were “close enough so I could contact them directly”?

But that isn’t necessarily the case - I learned it’s quite easy to have an enjoyable night out with people but not really be in touch beyond that.

If you want to expand your social circles try stuff like meet-up or something where you know everyone there is after new friends too.

There’s nothing embarrassing about wanting to meet new people or expand your social circle a bit - I think that trying to get “closer” to people who’ve already shown they aren’t interested in getting to know you that well is a bit of a losing game long term?

A month or so ago, I was forwarded a vaguely amusing language meme I had already seen, with a message along the lines of the following: "I thought this would be perfect for any ranting bile-spewing grammar Nazis who go awwwwwwwww when they see a well-dressed pooch, and luckily, I know YOU." I was touched. I replied correcting two grammatical mistakes she had made, winky face included.

The one I received like that today was spam.