I once believe it, the ladder but now, nah. Sometimes, a women can be attractive beyond reason. Even if its what "make up" would suggest, it still brings out the whole potential aspect. From experience, I think your better off left with positive hints and speculation than completely not acknowledge in the slightest. If no response, it opens a feeling of hopeless.

I actually become intimidated by women that reject in these cases. Like, if they were to suddenly notice me tomorrow, I wouldn't exactly know how to trust them.

This fact is not unknown but posts like these always need to serve as a reminder.