I strongly disagree. Think about when you made a new friend; did you have to walk on pins and needles or eggshells to avoid ruining the opportunity? My experience is that if you approach romantic relationships, first and foremost as an attempt to make friends, a lot of the pressure dissolves, if your intent is genuine. I think it was Michael Bolton who sung “how can we be lovers, if we can’t be friends.”

You’re not going to make friends if you’re desperate to do so, and you certainly won’t make lovers.