I experience all three on any given walk, although b and c are more likely, just as a matter of odds.
Never A,
Maybe B because C
Usually C, I always assume I bring a smile to a female face because I’m funny looking and they are laughing at me.
wow, do I have some self perception issues there/
c. I don’t read romance into it at all.
Doesn’t sound like a problem. Have you read the female version of this poll? They are almost never actually interested in the guy they’re smiling at.
b or c (there’s something on my face).
if Ive been drinking then overwhelmingly to my detriment a.
In descending order of likelihood, B, C(*), and A in a very distant third place.
(*most often: Is this someone I KNOW? I have a horrible time with remembering faces/names)
…what self-image/confidence issues? 
It depends on the situation and the girl, obviously, but I’ve learned through experience I’m rarely right. I’ve been sure its B when its A, A when its B, C when its B and so on. What I’d really like to get down is when it’s A, then I strike up conversation and it feels A plus for a good ten minutes before the dreaded “and then my boyfriend” comment. I’ve been batting 1.000 for a while with that one.
:smack: Hello, I’m married, therefore not qualified to speak. Plus, there is no “a”. I wouldn’t know, anyway, because, being married, I am utterly unaware of the existence of other women.
::gets released from half-nelson::
B for me
c. She must have gas.
That’s not a smile. That’s a grimace.
It’s never A. Maaaybe it’s B; but 95% of the time it’s C: who’s beside me, is there something risible about me, do I look like the circus is in town, etc. But I’ll add that it almost never happens.
Without reading anybody else’s answer: I think it’s some combination of A, B, and/or C, with C being “She wants something from me” (like, for example, help reaching something on the top shelf at the store).
She wouldn’t be smiling at me unprovoked if there weren’t at least a teensy amount of “digging,” but it could easily be far from total.
ETA: “Digging” interpreted in the loose sense of “being positively inclined toward me,” which doesn’t necessarily (but could) involve actual attraction.
It was always A.
I don’t want to make this thread about me. So I’ll try to stay on topc as much as I can.
It was freakin’ SURREAL. Half of the time I wasn’t even listening to her. I was thinking “I have to post to the SDMB about this!” The only thing better than a great date is a great story about a bad date.
I did indeed get into a great state of mind. The weather cleared up and Dung Beetle’s compliment had me totally stoked. And I was transmitting the vibe when I was walking to our meeting place. I was getting plenty of type A eyes (and hellos) from a number of cute women. The one I liked best was a cute blonde in a blue blouse. It seemed like we had real energy. Definite type A eyes. I would have stopped and talked to her, but I didn’t want to be late. For my date. With Kate.
Bit of background: The way I met Kate was through speed dating. I met something like 18 women that night, and I remember most of them but forgot a few. I definitely remember Kate. She was one of the few I had a true interest in. And we had a fantastic time talking. I wrote her name down and put a checkmark next to it. I checked off a few other names of cute women, but Kate was the one I really wanted. That was a True Connection.
And Kate checked me off too. We sent a few really nice e-mails back and forth and agreed to meet. Tonight. Magic was in the air.
So I’m feeling good and I KNOW that things are going to go fantastic. I arrive at the cafe. Kate is not there yet. There are plenty of attractive women walking around, some saying hi to me. I didn’t really want to talk to them or check them out too much, because Kate will arrive any second and I don’t want to be rude. Tonight is all about The Kate.
I see Blue Blouse Girl across the street and and she’s looking at me. Type A eyes. She’s crossing the street and heading straight for me. And smiling. Giving me The Eyes. Woah. Is she about to hit on me? This is really freakin’ WEIRD.
She comes right up to me and says “tdn? I thought I passed by you earlier, but I wasn’t sure.” She mentions speed dating.
WTF?!? I’ve never met this girl in my life! She looks slightly familiar, but I have no memory of talking to her. Maybe we met at speed dating, but she is definitely Not Kate. She’s quite attractive, though. Me like.
While we sat and talked I had a lot of thoughts of telling her “I’m sorry, but I think there’s been a mistake. I was supposed to meet Kate tonight.” But this girl is attractive and we’re having a fantastic conversation, so I just go with it. I want to see where this is headed. She asks me where I was born. I tell her. She responds with a story about how she’s connected with that place. Then it all comes back to me. I did meet her! She was kind of fun. I just forgot what she looked like.
She is pretty, fun, and intelligent, and I like spending time with her. I’d definitely go on another date with her. The night ended well. No huge romance, but one never knows.
When I got home just a little bit ago, I looked at my speed dating notes. The amazing brunette that I’d connected with was Laura. Kate was the girl I met just after her.
Note to self: When meeting a lot of women, take accurate notes. This could have ended up much much worse.
“She’s just being nice.”
Off to see what the ladies said. . .
BTW, the link in the OP is broken.
It depends on their level of physical attractiveness.
If she’s an average looking woman that I normally hook up with; I’ll go with A.
If she’s a total hottie that is normally way out of my league; I’ll go with B.
Your linky is broken dammit!!:mad:
B that washes into C territory.
The feeling is more like “wow, I’m so pathetic they think they have to smile to make me feel better about myself.” However, this isn’t just when women smile at me, it’s anyone including small children sooo…
$0. Check my post #35. When (or if) I actuallty get good at this, I’ll charge considerably more. But until now, I’m stumbling in the dark every bit as much as you are.
I don’t really use that protocol at all. I just talk to them and get rejected immediately. Ba dump ba dumP!