When it comes to social, non-transactional relationships, I've never once been able to will someone into wanting to talk to me.

If someone says no implicitly or explicitly, just take the L! It sucks, but it should never be *work* to get someone to pay attention to you.

In this way, love letters without mutual affection, pandering texts, etc. are just a humiliation ritual. Of course, the cinematic outcome is the recipient looking back and saying, "Look at what I missed..."

But in practice, if they don't respond, they don't want you.

People love to be loved, people love to love. Even the most coy, socially maladapted people will reciprocate if they're interested.

The conventional wisdom that people are never too broken or too busy for love and even friendship is right 9 times out of 10.