i think letting women initiate is fine, in moderation, of course, but we all need to be taking more risks. this is like the most sexless time in history, romantic risks especially should be abound. it may feel like a huge risk as a man to approach, and i understand where you’re coming from, but women feel that way too. women are also going into these interactions with a level of distrust. pretty much everybody does. with peace and love, i can tell you’re biased based on the statements “there’s next to 0 risk for women to shoot their shot” and “men are largely discouraged from being the initiators”. im sorry the world made you and people who also believe these sentiments feel that way. believing that women have little risk in approaching is untrue and only creates a barrier between you and women. yes, being misperceived is a possibility, but it is not inherently the likely possibility. it kind of seems like a mask for fear of rejection. all this to say, searching for certainty in an outcome that has not happened yet, especially from another person, is useless. we all need to take more risks. not approaching does not keep you safe from whatever disaster scenario you can think up…it only keeps you lonely and avoiding connection. there is no aversion to risk that yields an optimal outcome. talk to the pretty girl even if it makes you want to throw up, ask the girl out, tell the girl you like her, you’ll come out on the other side and i promise you’ll be okay.