My read was that it was about people harassing you, not just striking up a conversation and being polite. If you’re one of the polite ones (not harassing women), I don’t believe the meme is talking about you.

I am very gay, and I have no problems with men talking to me and asking me out. Lots of fellas are nice and will back off respectfully when I turn them down. It does not bother me to learn that someone thinks I am attractive. (It’s because I am, lol.)

However, it happens too often that there are men that are NOT respectful and WILL NOT take no as an answer. (Unless there is another man that has a say.) There are signs that can indicate that men will be like this, but it can be at times hard to tell.

Because of the potential danger, I completely understand why women will treat the situation as a threatening one and try to de-escalate ahead of time.

I wouldn’t find someone that expects me to disrespect boundaries to be suitable dating material. I think you avoided a bad situation there.

I have found the most dating success not in random encounters, but starting from friendships/shared interests anyway.

If you are looking for a relationship, I wish you the best of luck!