In my experience , if I make any attempt to even just talk to a man , they get very defensive . This is not asking for a date . It may even be here , on line . If I initiate a conversation , they get very defensive . I get messages like , " but I'm only XX years old , " or , " I'm gay ."

It's totally normal in my experience. Sometimes I ask and sometimes I get asked. I'm always nervous asking someone out for the first time so really respect it when someone else takes the risk to do it!

It is becoming more and more common. Nothing sexual, or romantic, but I do go out often with ladies at their request. Sadly none have shown any romantic interest. I think it is a good sign though, that society is changing. Less of a good sign is that my ex wife was the one who initiated our romance back in the 70s, she asked me out a number of times before the penny drooped that she was interested not just friendly.
A note to all the ladies out there. I was smitten with a girl at work years ago, a bit of a stunner, even won the Miss Beach Girl competition one year. I thought she was too young and out of my league. I became engaged, she didn't know and finally asked me out but the die had already been cast sadly. If only one of us had bitten the bullet earlier.

I want to be with a woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid or caught up in convention and is willing to speak her mind. Communication, Communication, Communication from both sides.

Asking men out on dates is always about sex. Like all mammals you're measuring up a suitable mate.
If you asked me over to fix a sink leak I would assume it's about plumbing. You could still be measuring me up as a suitable mate but I wouldn't be thinking about sex. I would be thinking about the seventeen bottles of shampoo you have under the sink that you should have cleared out of the way before I got there.
It's not complicated.

Roles are for acting. In real life they tend to divide and segregate.

Your poll questions are a little skewed. I answered 'right on' because I see it as normal when you treat people as people.

I would be fine with it, being that I am not very really one to make any kind of move in this area

I’m not in the game any more but when I was it happened a couple of times. I welcomed it.

Do it!

I think "surprised but welcoming" would about sum up my attitude.

No problem with that whatsoever.

I chose 2 options, it's about time, plus I wish there were more like her.

Now, where's the option for "Get her into my life, PDQ"?

The female is the one who ultimately chooses her mate. It would be more efficient if she just made her acceptance of the male known. The male being the pursuer in human mating rituals is much of a myth.

I have had as many men (who think I am gay or a woman (I once had really long hair) hit on (or just ask to go for a long intimate walk as women. (not on-line) I have politely refused all the guys, and most of the women. If the woman was an intelligent and rational atheist (not a republican), I would be honored and treat her to much rich two way discussions and (if interested) movies in my home theater. In these parts, seems all the remaining (all single women who meet those standards I once knew have left the state) women are theists.

Well, I never did and I will never do.

Edited to add "but I will try my best to make him to ask me."

Mostly my reaction would be to pinch myself, because I am clearly dreaming.

I would love it. Women rarely make the first move

I'm terrible when it comes to reading signals & noticing flirting...
So I never know if I should ask or not
It can make situations quite difficult for me at times & I've probably missed out on many opportunities in the past

That would be quite refreshing! Are you buying lol

The best thing you can possibly do. You have no idea what pressure that takes off the situation for the guy. We have to get hardened to rejection and that can make us leery of making the first move sometimes. If a woman that we are interested in asks us out first, it's AMAZING! No worrying about "I wonder if she likes me" etc. Of course there is the downside of possible rejection, it comes with the territory. But, think about it this way, if the guy is shy for instance and you have an inkling that he's interested you would have made his day and maybe his life. Remember the saying attributed to Wayne Gretzky, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Also, if you don't show your interest you might never get another chance with that guy for whatever reason he hasn't noticed or made the first move yet. Go for it! and tell your friends

Haven't figured out why more women don't ask

"Excellent it's about time and "Wish there were more like her" are virtually the same in principle. You're splitting the votes of us in the same club. ??

I like a woman that is not tied to social norms like the guy has to be the one to ask for a date.

I am all for it but have discovered that it's how I'm approached or asked that matters. Yes, I have crazy stories, LOL!!!