Anonymous wrote:She wants it. And she wants it now.

Idiot!

Well it could be. Maybe yes, maybe no. I’m not sure why everyone is shooting ou down in here.

If I find a man attractive, the first th8ng I do is make eye contact and smile. Shrug.

I agree with Midwestern PPs about just being nice. I can’t help it, been here twenty years after growing up in Chicago and several male coworkers have thought I was coming on to them with my smile and eye contact, blech! I’m friendly and I’m not going to change to suit DC weirdos.

A smile doesn't mean anything however if I am repelled a man I won't smile or make eye contact. So they probably find you acceptable. I like men who are friendly and helpful but not obviously hitting on me.

Anonymous wrote:For some reason we made contact and I’m being polite instead of rude. It doesn’t mean I want anything more to do with you, and I’d probably be creeped out if you pursued it further.

+infinity

It means I am from the Midwest. This is what we do. I also thank bus drivers and will always allow you to merge in front of me.

She wants it. And she wants it now.

When I do make eye contact, I'll do the pursed lips smile and slight head nod. I find it meets the sweet spot between unfriendly and inviting.

I smile at pretty much everyone, OP. The only thing it means is that I'm friendly. I'm from the deep south. It's what we do.

Thank you so much for your insights. I'm a bit clueless I guess. This is a big help.

-- OP

It means she is being slightly impersonally friendly and just possibly in some instances signaling she is “not a butch” ie the flip side of the ever-annoying “smile, baby” men sometimes say to women

Guy here - when I'm walking along a sidewalk I'm looking around at people. If I make eye contact with any woman I always smile and say hello or good morning. They almost always smile and say the same thing and then its over. No big deal. I just like to be friendly.

In general I would not expect women to express interest in you in a random encounter on the streeet. Women are aware enough of the dangers of random men that they generally do not attempt to flirt or start up something unless they are in slightly more protected situations like a party, a class, a friend’s house, even a bar or store is safer than random encounter on the street.

Just in the past few weeks I’ve read several stories of rapes and/or murders of women jogging or walking.

It means you are both HUMAN and she is politely acknowledging your existence.

That's about it.

I’m not good at flirting. This would be an opening with me.