Romantically, who chooses and who is chosen?

Who chooses whom in romantic relationships? I’ve never gotten anywhere with a woman unless she had already decided she wanted me before I had even thought of making any kind of overture to her. I wonder if this is because of my particular personal characteristics or if there is an underlying gender dynamic here that is more common than most males realize.

Popular romantic entertainment usually offers one of two scenarios (a) the guy is smitten with a gal who does not immediately reciprocate his feelings, and eventually he wins her over, or (b) there is instant mutual attraction, and despite various obstacles, external or internal, the two get together. When it’s the gal who wins over the guy, it’s usually some kind of farce, or else she is portrayed as some kind of femme fatale or seductress.

Ok, this intro has gone on too long already. What has your experience been?