A lot of advice is around building social proof but to me that seems like earning the validation of the group. Why is this a good thing if we are told to not seek external validation?

Story behind my post - I got into an argument yesterday with a group. I was walking past a group, without engaging, when a girl looked at me and went like eww. I was completely sober and was dressed normal. When I asked her "What was that?" she tried to dismiss me by waving me away and said "go away". That really pissed me off! I demanded an apology and eventually guys from around the room started to get in to "rescue" the poor girl.

Eventually me and this other guy go into a standoff and after a few minutes I decided to walk away from the situation. I now dont give a fuck what others think, I will do what makes me happy and the next time I will not walk away without an apology.