[snowskate]

I agree. These things happen. I talk extensively to my fiancee about female psychology and tactics. I think what's going through their head is: it's ok to look and take notice, but if you cross over to staring mode, then they turn on you.
And staring only has to be a second or two. That was a huge eye opener for me. I thought staring was just that, staring. Nope it only has to be for a split second too long to cross over into creepy territory.

So it is a game, and it's by their rules which usually don't always make sense.
I also hear from her that girls dress fancy for girls not necessarily for guys. They are competitive within their gender.