"Hi, I'd like to be your friend!"

More and more lately, I find myself encountering people I'd like to be friends with...but circumstances just don't really allow it. UNLESS I blatantly said to them, "you know, I find you wildly interesting, funny, smart, complicated, and a breath of fresh air...we should hang out!" Let's be honest, though...i'd be looked at as a needy weirdo. Heavy sigh. It's a shame...and terribly sad, actually. My doesn't-GET-more-genuine plea would be viewed as socially inappropriate and awkward. We'd leave each other's company, a new day will dawn, the Moment In Time will pass, weeks and years will go by, and soon we'll all be dead sans being enriched by countless great friendships that could've been...simply because we didn't wanna look like an ass. Something to think about. And this comes from a NON-shrinking violet. Yup, it's plain and simply sad.