Right, okay, since meta discussions about Fedi are kinda on topic, please help me understand something:

How do you get to build relationships with other people without replying to them and without them replying to you, as that seems to be frowned upon?

(yeah I know this sounds super stupid and almost malicious but can you please give me a benefit of the doubt and assume good intent — I really am a complete f-ing moron who means well but doesn't understand social interactions at all)