Hello and welcome.
Uhm, men do project onto women out of a sense of desperation and loneliness. If a woman smiles at a man as if just to say hi because she has seen him before, there are men who will interpret that as she likes him when she was in fact just being nice. It is sad really that there are so many men out there like this. I know this well because I used to be somewhat like this when I was at a low point in my life suffering depression and low self-esteem. I can gladly say that is the distant past though I do not mind sharing if it can be of use to someone else.
Many men if not most do not know how to relate to a woman and simply do not understand her words never mind her body language or her emotions. Men are from Mars and women from Venus.
If I were you I would let go of the anger knowing that any man that does project onto you is not a happy well-adjusted individual, and though sometimes you may want to help him, you cannot until he really wants to. And beware as in this state they may try to manipulate your emotions. At that point, you just cut them off as they are emotionally toxic.
Women do this too, though not near as much as men, especially older men as they are emotionally crippled brought up at a time when boys will be boys was justification for all kinds of wrongdoing and emotions were considered a weakness making them out of touch with their own feelings.
I hope my few words help ease your dis-ease about this situation. I look forward to hearing you sing as I too am a singer-songwriter.
Following and upvoted
Peace
#daemon-nice
Thank you for your very thoughtful and in-depth reply. Your insights have given me a window into the nature and minds of men, so that's appreciated. Glad to hear that you have overcome the self esteem issues - it's something many of us have to face. I am not feeling angry any more, the post was a great way to let off some steam and perhaps earn some steem in return! Nice to meet you