There is the problem of predatory approaches to women in social networks of course.

But I feel most women automatically take any messages from men declaring their affection, be it genuine or not, in a pretty negative way by default.

I get it's a protective natural reaction, but it can be harmful. If you're a woman, and you take this too seriously and in a negative way, suddenly you start thinking all men are mindless jerks. I've seen it. It's all about the choice of words.

If I were a woman, and a stranger sent me an email out of the blue, but was educated and chose his words well, I wouldn't care at all. In fact I would seek him out so that we get to know each other better.

If not I would simply ignore it. Of course this can be hard if you get bombarded with hundreds of messages, and emails and stuff.

But I would try not to be dismissive and view it in a negative way by default. People live in a defensive state always, and that is really harmful.