Some thoughts on your post:

You are wise to recognize that your family has limitations and you need to be on your own in dealing with things, that they can't help. This is a sign of maturity and wiseness in you; give yourself a pat on the back and notch one up in your self-esteem for learning this and dealing with it!

The person who makes you feel inadequate because you don't know everything having to do with TV and high-end brands is showing their insecurity and lack of matruity. There is nothing wrong with not knowing everything about such topics. If you knew everything, I wouldn't like you as well--I'd think you were spending too much time and making too much impotance on really insignificat things. So, add another notch to your self-esteem; you pass the "I don't deal exclusively with trivial topics" test.

I also think perhaps you are being too critical of yourself on the "opening up" score. You have shared with us here, some intimate thoughts, and expressed yourself very well. Most of us only have 1-2 true friends in a lifetime. The others are all superficial aquaintances. Over time, you'll develop some good friends, I do believe. Sounds like you are starting now. Go ahead and flirt, and have a good time. What can it hurt? If you can never actually meet, go ahead and enjoy what is here. Like him all you want--you don't have to tell him, do you? Just enjoy whatever happens.