A ton of stand-up comedians build whole positions on their own failure to speak to members of the exact opposite gender, particularly male comedians.
Maybe it really is due to awkwardness, or a little kid in kids vibrant that was naturally patriarchal, or being an important part of a religious people that frowns highly regarding the “co-mingling” of different men and women. Maybe they certainly were geeky adolescents maturing or these were facing self-esteem dilemmas.
Interacting via articles, specially through online dating services or arbitrary social websites DMs, only has additional worsened these issues for everyone. Some of their cluelessness might end up being chalked doing naivete.