ExFlyBoy5
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
I figured someone would tell me this. Probably it is true. But recall, the OP is concerned about "seeming creepy" merely because he is an older man. That is what triggered my anecdote.
It's as well to wait till one knows others, at least slightly, before "joshing" them, such as implying that a stranger politely holding the door for you is a doorman.
I used to get such a sick feeling, at 18 or so, when groups of men in their 50's would josh with me (a stranger to them), when all I wanted was to get on with my business. One would make some remark, and they'd all guffaw.
I knew there was no harm in it, but resented being made the object of their fun and games. My uncles could do that, but not strangers. That was the "creepy" part. If they'd said "Hi, how are you, nice weather we're having" it would have been fine.
All true, but I think that people are different and act accordingly. Of course, that means that some of us may welcome the "joshing" while others abhor it.
As far as Dad was concerned, there was no such thing as a stranger. But, I do get your point. Some of the stuff he would say to strangers (like female nurses) would make me cringe and I would tell him that some folks may not appreciate his candor.