I'm 23M, kind of new to dating because of mental health troubles and other things.

After asking a few women out, talking to them about dating, etc. I think I have figured something out. 'I think' being the important word as I can be totally off.

So, what I think is it is a kind of positive feedback loop beased on like really minute communication things which girls call hints. And which explains why 90% of the time, we men just dont get a fly's wing of whatever the hell is going on.

So, the typical scenario is somethong like this, a guy says hi first, then you say hi or the reverse, now after that if you are not totally repulsed by him you will continue talking to him.

If you like him, you will do almost absolutely nothing but expect him to ask you out in a casual way, like "let's hangout sometime". And you will say no or say yes but never show up, if you dont like that guy and if you like that guy ypu do show up.

Now, provided you do like him, this second or third hangout will be like interview rounds where you collect info and then later alone or with the council of besties discuss your findings.

If you finally agree then you guys will hangout and do couple things. But the guy needs to make sure you are a couple by either asking or kissing or any physical advances, otherwise it might remain as a platonic friendship too.( at this stage the distinguishing factor is being flirty like tge guy needs to make some advances or he will just considered a friend)

And then the relatiomship goes on till the guy proposes marriage. Or breaks up.

would be your typical strategy be a similar one?

Also even in this i am confused, in like the hangout stage, a girl said she would like to hangout but not as a date, and tge girl had a recent breakup , so was that a clear no or more like "not sure about feelings, must do proximity check to infer correctly"?