How does a woman know the difference between a man rushing into sex and him just wanting to be friends/acquaintances?

They don’t, not at first. It takes time to get to know, and by then it could be too late.

It’s harder if the guy is single. Now that I’m married and I want to be friendly, without making women uncomfortable that I’m interested in any romantic relationship, I’ll find a way to bring up my wife in a positive light:

“I love that purse! do you mind if I ask where you got it? I’m always on the hunt for a good birthday present for my wife. I love her to death, but she’s impossible to shop for!”

Something like that is totally disarming. It allows you to engage in a friendly way and takes any ambiguities about sexual intentions completely off of the table.

The one who is only after Sex is all touchy trying to get into their personal space etc
The one who is for taking it slow and getting to know a lady takes his time and talks on interests etc.

Show your intentions through your behaviour, your demeanour, your talking subjects.
Also, be sincere, honest, real, yourself (if you are a good ‘self’, obviously).
In fact, if I want to get acquaintant (?) with somebody I go in it with the idea that I’m 2–0 down.
I could be a predator, and/or a douchebag/creep/asshole/whathaveyou, in the person’s eyes.

Sometimes you can’t tell, other times the creep factor is right up front. If the other person doesn’t look at you as he talks, but keeps looking at your body, that’s a red flag. If he stands too close and keeps touching your arm, face, shoulder, or any other body parts, it’s a red flag. Too many over the top compliments is a red flag.

Mostly she doesn’t. If she doesn’t seem welcoming to your attentions, BACK OFF.

Women should be able to tell; girls may not. If unsure, assume he is just another randy guy.

The truth is that we DON’T always know & we often have to rely on our instincts. IF a man’s advances makes me feel uncomfortable, I don’t care the reason behind the words, I’m going to BACK OFF!!! Normally, a guy just wanting to be a friend doesn’t use the same come on a guy trying to pick me up uses. Often it doesn’t matter the reason for the discomfort, my responsibility is to take care of ME first & foremost!!! IF the guy just really wants to be a friend, I probably won’t feel threatened by his words. IF I do still feel threatened, it is on HIM to find a different way to approach the idea of being friends.

In my personal experience, every little thing a man did, everything he initiated, from starting a conversation to “accidentally” touching me, was with the hope of sex sometime in the future. The sooner the better.
@SnipSnip is right. At 12, 13, 14, 15 I didn’t recognize it because I didn’t know how men thought. I only knew how I thought, and sex wasn’t it. My naivety got me trapped into a few awful situations.
I finally figured it out. I quit even making eye contact with men.
Sometimes it seemed eye contact was all it took.
If she’s creeped out by your attentions consider what she may have gone through up to this point. It’s not just you. It’s all of them.

That can be a double edged sword. How can a man know the difference between a woman wanting to be friends, or giving you the bums rush to get a ring on her finger? I knew more than a few like that in the day. And then when you break it off you’re and evil ass hole uncaring slime bag. Been there done that.

Some good insights here from Dutchess, LadyM & others. My own mindset is that sex is never completly out of mind when it comes to encounters with men, even if they’re not conciously thinking about it.

Attraction involves lots of feelings at different levels, and friendship doesn’t happen if there’s no attraction. But it’s just a fact that there are always guys who feel that sexual harassment is some kind of perrogative they’re entitled to, and unfortunately there’s no sign younger males have become any more enlightened. But all that only makes it harder for decent guys who may only want a friendly relationship with a woman they actually appreciate as a human being (and those men do exist).

So how do I sort out the difference? Instinct has a lot to do with it, but it’s hard to explain. I know when I’m being hit on. Body language, verbal cues, “creep factor”, and environment are all tells. On the other hand if someone approaches me with respect I can sense that too. A friendly greeting, a genuine smile, a question I can answer without feeling embarassed, an interesting conversation. Even light flirting is okay as long as it makes me feel complimented and doesn’t get obsessive.

I think I get the reason why this question seems to come up so often now. It’s more clear than ever that we live in a world where dirty money, sick politics, and twisted culture can do sexual damage to men & women. Everybody is looking for some rules to follow. So if you want a friend, first be a friend. And stay human. It may not be easy but it’s worth it.

Good luck.

I would add that many men mistake any acknowledgment by a woman of them as a sign the women are interested in having sex with them.

Of course. We are all chick magnets in own mind. In spite of the fact that most women wouldn’t piss on us is we caught on fire. @Dutchess_III

We don’t have a hose @Nomore_Tantrums! We’d burn ourselves!

Lol @Dutchess_III !

Lol @Dutchess_III

I don’t think I’ve ever really had a problem telling – except maybe once or twice.

And, also, if it makes you feel better, I’d pee on you even if you weren’t on fire @Nomore_Tantrums.

^^ Get a toilet you two!

LOL!

Mighty white of ya @Dutchess_III

@Dutchess_III, and @Nomore_Tantrums – This is sounding kinkier by the minute, but I think I know some people who’d pay to watch.

And obviously, it would make you more than friends ;p

Only a gag @JLoon only a gag. I may be a slime bag but Dutchy is a Lady and a class act. My only point was that most of us aren’t the ladies men we think we are. But when we get shot down it’s always, “Damn she didn’t swoon because I graced her with my attention?” : )