I see where you're coming from and think this topic just needs to be reworded properly rather than avoided. It's ok to show affection and interest towards someone of the opposite sex as long as it is in a RESPECTFUL way. The torah does expect us all to marry and have children if possible so finding a mate should be a valid topic to discuss on a religious forum when conducted in a proper context. The problem I have always encountered with the religious when I ask them for help to find someone is that they use religion as an excuse not to help me.
Getting back to "hitting on a woman", the problem with showing interest becomes where to draw the line. My sister always accuses me of hitting on women when I'm just trying to start simple conversation. Of course just because a woman is attractive and I want to talk to her doesn't mean I'm trying to immediately pursue a relationship. The problem today is that if a guy is not aggressive enough, he does not get the girl. If he is too aggressive, then it becomes harassment. While cases of both extremes are clear, the line between appropriate and inappropriate is not always clear.
In today's society all a woman has to do to create serious problems for a guy is scream harassment. The problem is that there are so many genuine cases of harassment and abuse where the woman should speak up but doesn't, however, most of the time when the woman has the courage to actually speak up, it is a frivolous claim.