So, I like this girl, and...

I've seen a lot of forum posts begin with this phrase (or at least something like it) lately. I understand that Planet Minecraft users are predominantly male teenagers, and that many are insecure about their ability to find a girlfriend and maintain a stable relationship due to the "nerd" stereotype's supposed lack of social skills. As a result, many decide to sound off on the forums about their latest crush and ask fellow forumgoers about what they should do.

There's a few problems with that.

• The people on Planet Minecraft do not know your personal situation. Asking us about what you should do about your crush on someone is like the President asking us how to defuse the situation in North Korea. We really have no idea. Even if we were wise enough to help you out given the right info, your description is most likely not objective enough to allow us give you any legitimate advice.
  

• The people on Planet Minecraft are probably in the same boat as you. The suggestions you receive will probably be to do something someone else really wants to do but lacks the courage/audacity. Once again, they do not have relationship experience, either, and it could end badly for all of you.
  

• Some of the people on Planet Minecraft are jaded. If you hadn't guessed this already, I would be one of those people. We don't have the answers, nor do we claim so, but we can often tell you what the answer isn't. Unless you want to become more depressed than you already are, don't ask me for relationship advice.
  

• The people on Planet Minecraft are not the ones you need to ask. The heart of the matter is, you should have close enough friends, mentors, family (parent(s) are great for this), etc. that you don't need to confide in total strangers on the Internet to help you with your problems. The anonymity sounds nice, but in the end, it goes against you. We're here to talk about Minecraft and avoid the teen drama that we all are forced to deal with on a day-to-day basis.
  

Some people here mean well, but they really don't know you well enough to give you the help you need. The remedy for that? Real-life personal interaction. And another thing: don't put too much weight on these junior-high/high-school romances. Statistically speaking, they don't last (if you are in a relationship, that's perfectly fine, and I hope it turns out well, just for the record). So don't think your life is over if you don't get a girlfriend before college (and if you do, it's not going to be from advice you got on Planet Minecraft). You might end up with less emotional turmoil than if you did. ;)