If we meet in real life and you recognize me from social media or follow me online, please say so right away.
Nothing weirds me out more than thinking we’re meeting for the first time, only to find out you’ve known details about my life the whole time and were just pretending otherwise.
While out with friends I had a guy introduce himself, chat me up like we were strangers, then casually mention I “take really good pictures”… turns out he’d been following me on Instagram. The rest of the night got creepy fast.
Being upfront, like “Hey, I recognize you from so and so,” feels way more genuine than letting me think it’s a fresh connection.
It saves everyone the awkwardness.