I actually disagree with that. Here’s why, it’s innate. Across all species, and we’re no different.

Physical displays of stress are not exactly the same from species to species but there are broad similarities, especially in mammals. You see it in tenseness of muscles, facial expressions, hesitancy in movement or rapid movement away, hyper alertness, strain of voice, not making eye contact, or curling in on oneself as though to hide or protect from attack.

These same creepy guys who claim women aren’t being obvious in their signaling will immediately notice stress in any other mammal. Mammals who are exhibiting the exact. same. behavioral. patterns.

So, they expect us to believe that they can recognize it easily in their pet, or in a zoo animal, or in natural film like the Planet series or Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom but they can’t see it in a human female. ??? Their own species ??????? !!

I call bullshit. BULL. SHIT.

Women don’t need a doctoral degree to notice the same patterns in men or other animals. Again, it’s innate and instinctive. You have to work at being so self involved that it would escape your notice.

No. It’s far more likely that they’ve turned off that feedback loop because they’ve been socialized and chosen to treat what should be acts of courtship as an act of predation instead. Just like a lion does in fact notice that it’s making a gazelle uncomfortable, it just doesn’t care for obvious reasons.

Honestly, what’s the difference?

Don’t give them credit they don’t deserve or the benefit of the doubt and say it’s just male awkwardness or whatever. That needs to end.

Besides, you already called it exactly right. This guy knew exactly what he was doing. He was using the rules of “politeness" to possibly lure you into a position of being vulnerable and exposed. It’s deliberately manipulative. This tactical strategy is exactly the same one that Ted Bundy used, btw. I’m not saying your guy was a serial killer too. Not all acts of predation lead to death.

I’m just saying the guy obviously knew what he was doing. He was attempting to manipulate and coerce. Your response to that was both natural, correct, and obvious as well.

Don’t second guess yourself.