Yeah, being thrown into the den of lions is not fun. At first, when I first began my transitioning stage, I really appreciated the attention that I was getting. But it got me into some interesting situations, that is for sure~!
I suppose that learning how to respond to men's affections or disaffections will come with experience, time, and observation. The female body is a aesthetically pleasing and beautiful to the eye, so don't be surprised if you find that there are people who are just appreciating your self, even if it may primarily come from a baser desire.
I first loved the attention, but I realised that it was also taking away from my own personal focus. At the start we may desire that validation, but eventually and essentially, that validation will come from ourselves and that made me a stronger woman. For me if I am just not interested, I would just look the other way if some man is gazing at me. OR if they ARE staring at me in interest, I look at them and that causes them some awkwardness.
OR if they are on the street and passing their gaze, then I let them and ignore it. And if they try to somehow say things to me, I let it brush aside and continue on with my day.
Unwanted attention is just not fun, because it can lead to misplacement of affection ('leading someone on'), or danger, or just awkwardness. If you ARE interested, I suppose that you can just go for it, lol. But I also remind myself, am I familiar with this person enough that he won't murder me for knowing my personal history? And that can help me come back to reality as well.
I have also received the other side of validation: when men from certain cultures talk to my male friends or whatnot instead of me, because of either an internal sense of sex-segregation, or just plain 'women speak less serious than men' kind of deal. Or assumed roles, characteristics, or mannerisms - simply because of my womanhood (being told that ladies do not eat in the public presence of others, etc.). I end up feeling ignored, but that is the reality of womankind.
Some good attention though, is seeing men being gentlemen and opening doors for you, or letting you sit on the bus over himself, or being polite to you on the street or in a store. Those are positive, safe and wonderful acts of validation for women like us!