Whether it be looking up to someone, dating, or plain old friendship, what are acceptable ways to get close to those people? I already know the inappropriate ways (e.g. always showing up to work on days off to see colleague you look up to) which made people feel smothered and uncomfortable, but idk what to actually DO. Yet, other people seem to have it figured out.

For instance, a former coworker recently graduated high school. When she was in school, she really looked up to one of her teachers. That particular teacher is friends with all her students on Facebook bc she's cool like that and her school didn't have policy against that. So on Facebook, that teacher posted on my coworker's timeline saying she missed her in class. My coworker replied "You're still my favorite teacher, I promise. I'm taking your class next year." Several months later, her teacher wished my coworker a happy birthday. My coworker replied, "Thanks! I love you and I miss you."

How the HELL could she look up to her teacher and not get shunned? Every time I try that crap on someone, they eventually get mad and permanently walk out on me. (OK now I know why but I didn't before).

And I have a 4 year old nephew who is loving and nice to everyone. He was with his parents at a bank once and grabbed 2 suckers. When his parents admonished him that he should only take one, my nephew explained he wants to give the other one to his preschool teacher. When he did that, the teacher was happy that he liked her so much.

Would that be equivalent to me buying my fast food supervisor Mountain Dews? And that Sour Patch Kids? And Goldfish? Because that's what the HELL I did multiple times, just like my nephew did the same thing a few times.

Bottom line: How come other people could successfully seek close relationships and I couldn't?