Please don't worry too much. Many people are aware that we all have some different customs and cultures so will not be offended easily! In fact, it is very difficult to offend someone unless you intend to! If you do make a "faux-pas" then usually the person will explain the culture of custom. You seem very kind and considerate so be honest always!

Making friends on the internet is really really easy. No need to think to much about it. Being polite is going to get you a lot of friends. When people know your from a different country, they more than likely understand that you might not know your cultures customs or ways so it is understandable for the both of you. It makes it more interesting when you want to make friends from different countries, because it gives you incentive to learn more about them and how they do things. That makes an interesting conversation. Don't worry, go for it.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about being too polite. In my experience, if you worry too much about politeness, especially within an internet context, you will come off as being too rigid and formal. To the above poster, the original poster is from China, and Chinese people call all non-Chinese "foreigners." It's how 外国人 translate, and they even shorten that to 老外， or roughly "old foreigner."

I'd recomend the books "Intercultural Communication." Asians are generally perceived as avoiding the point because in Asian discourse patterns, they give reasons and then a conclusion. In Western we state the main idea and then the justification. They're also seen as a lot less domineering, more sheepish, than Westerners. What I mean is, if you're worried about being polite, learn their customs.

itz eg but not for every1....if u wre intrstd in culture, language , people of hisher country ,i think itz really easier for u to be his/her fnd......don b worried.....i thnk ull get some foreign friends and ull get help from dem