>>when I see people smile at me or try to start a conversation, I assume they're trying to cheer me up or something, not necessarily anything else. Or even if that weren't the case, maybe they're just being friendly. In any case, it's hardly means romance. And if you do end up misinterpreting things, then you're setting yourself up for a massive humiliation.
THIS. Girls have smiled at me before, but I never respond with anything more than a smile back. I can never tell when a smile is supposed to mean more than just a smile, and if I presume incorrectly, I might have a sexual-harrassment suit on my hands.
I mean, it's simple math. If she only means the smile and I only smile back, then that's it -- there's nothing between us. If she means the smile to mean more than just a smile and I only smile back, I've lost my chance. If she means it only as a smile and I mistakenly interpret it as something more, I put myself at risk for a harrassment charge.
Only if she means the smile as something more AND I correctly interpret it and respond appropriately does the signal lead anywhere.
That's only a 25% chance of success, and we're just talking theory, here. Factor in real-world variables, and the percentage chance of success is even less.
With signals, you've got such slim odds that it's not even worth trying, especially when the risks for screwing up can be much worse than mere humiliation.