One of the most common sources of confusion when meeting people online isn't dishonesty — it's ambiguity. Two people can have a genuinely nice conversation for weeks while quietly assuming different things about where it's headed. Being upfront about whether you're looking for friendship, dating, or you're simply open to either, saves everyone time and a lot of unnecessary awkwardness.
Why people avoid saying it plainly
It's an understandable instinct — stating your intent feels like it puts something on the line, or narrows your options too early. But the opposite is usually true. Vagueness doesn't keep your options open so much as it delays an honest conversation that was always going to need to happen eventually, just with more invested by the time it does.
How to say it without overthinking it
It doesn't need to be a big declaration. A simple line works fine: "Just so we're on the same page, I'm looking to make new friends right now" or "I'll be honest, I'm hoping this turns into something more." Said early and casually, it reads as confident, not intense.
Set your intent on your profile
On Milo Chat, you can set whether you're looking for friends, dating, or both directly on your profile. This alone prevents a lot of the mismatch problem before a conversation even starts — you're matched with people looking for the same thing, rather than hoping it comes up naturally three weeks in.
What if you're not sure yet?
That's a perfectly fine answer too, and worth saying honestly: "I'm open to either, depending on how things go." What matters isn't having it all figured out — it's not letting the other person assume something you haven't actually said.
It protects both people
Clarity isn't just about efficiency — it's a form of respect. It means neither person invests weeks of hope in a direction the other was never actually headed. However the conversation goes, starting with honesty about intent tends to make the whole experience feel a lot less confusing.