there is a huge difference in the attention men receive from women (compared to women receiving from men).. even in west, where women are freeer, still its a rareity for a man to get complement from random women, or being approached by women. Women are still holding back themselves, and they typically go for targetted approach, whereas men go for shotgun approach.
No wonder most men will be flattered to receive any attention at all. Its not all machismo, there is real lack of initiative from women. I am not implying women are acting as cartel and jacking up 'price' unnecessarily but it appears to be so. I dont remember where I saw the news item but even online dating apps like tinder mimic such behavior(people are supposed to be even freeer online)