In the past I thought it was pretty telling: they want my attention, so in order to deter me from giving that attention to other women, they make them seem less desirable. Naturally, that led me to believe the first few times I really noticed it that it was an IOI. They're interested in me, and want me to have interest in them, so they make other people seem less appealing.

But, a lot of women I've spoken to lately, when talking about other women, will instantly mention something about how they think she's dating someone. One girl, when I jokingly said something about he friends and then asked her, "You do have friends, right?" she replies, "they're alright I guess..." I felt like she knew I was going to follow up with some question about if they're cute/interesting or anything like that. It was like she was trying to prevent that from coming up.

Not too long ago, I brought up a potential plate to someone I used to orbit and instantly she mentions something about how she thinks she has a girlfriend. I told her that I'm pretty damn positive she likes guys since I've noticed sexual tension between us and heard her mention something about another guy I know. After that she almost seemed upset or maybe panicked in trying to convince me that she wasn't available.

Is this something women just do regularly without any reason beyond wanting more attention for themselves, or do you think there's any indication that it has to do with me or maybe an effect I'm having on them?