I gave this some thought. I agree, it could be called “game playing”, and it is unavoidable in dating and romantic relationships to a degree.

Here’s why:

To do no game playing and be true to Seesaw’s feelings, she would keep contacting this man and he might keep saying he’s too busy to see her. In my experience, men say a woman who pursues them like that is “desperate” and they are repelled by that. I did plenty of This pursing and testing this theory, and sadly found it to be true IME.

If Seesaw does not contact him, but waits for him to contact her, yes she should act happy to hear from him, and looking forward to seeing him. Then a date will be made.

If no one contacts the other, then that’s that.

I am in my early 50’s and I know this is ‘old school’ thinking. And I hate to say that I have found what I say to be true by men’s comments about women, and by my own failings at procuring dates with men I was attracted to.

It’s not like this is a ‘game’ for malicious intent, but simply to get a lousy date. But, tbh, this is what I have learned from living and observing society.