The patriarchy views all women as contestants in an eternal beauty pageant and all men as judges. The notion that a woman might have a purpose of her own--something other than to please male eyes--simply does not cross some men's "minds."

And to be ignored by a perceived inferior is an offense--not just against their fragile egos, but against the social order that entitles them to rule. Women have good reason to regard male strangers as potential threats.