Tease me, Tease me, I think I like it

Why are we taught that when a boy teases us, he likes us?

From before we could even understand this concept, it was drilled into our minds-- from playing at the park and getting sand thrown in our face to playing spanking games, we were told that a boy goes about showing his affection by teasing us. 

Not only do they tease us, but they project as well. They put their feelings on us saying, "Just admit it, you want me," when really they want to admit that they're the ones who want. 

But is it just men of all ages, or are woman guilty of the tease, or expressing the exact opposite of their true emotions as well?

Don't we also rip men of their masculine attributes, while consciously wanting those exact attributes we put down?

Don't we also playfully throw in a "You can't lift me, "or "No your muscles aren't all that" while we are longing for them to lift us up and show off their bulging biceps? 

So what is it? It must be human condition. There must be a theory written about the way a man and woman interact with each other in times of intense attraction-- perhaps that's where the term 'sexual tension' sprouted?

Is it a matter of protection, a shield we put up to guard our feelings?  

Or is it that we just want the opposing team to want us as a manner of feeding our ego? Who doesn't like to tease, draw someone's attention and flirt without having any real emotional connection to the person. 

Do we just want to know that we are wanted without really putting ourselves out there?

Could it be a fear of rejection? First wanting to know that the other person wants us before our hearts get trampled on?

Or could it be as simple as 2+2? Is it that they just don't like us? Is it as simple as fun and games? Or is there more to it? And if so, is it a human condition that affects both parties. Is it that women are the complicated ones who put more thought into an innocent spanking while playing tag at age 5, and does that complication carry with us into adulthood? Is it just the women who dissect and complicate a man's every move?

At age 5, are we told that the boy who just shoved us in the sand, likes us just to protect our feelings? Do our mommys just tell us that so that we don't have to actually think that at five years old someone doesn't like us? Is it that our feelings are protected in that way, as a way to cover up the reality?

Does the "tease" and the "projection" just serve as a form of protection?

Is it just the women?

or is it really human condition, where both parties face this confusion?

We will never know as each person has a different motive... but what is it that drives that thought that is drilled into every 5 year old's little mind?

What is at the root of that?