Who leads while courting - man or woman?

On my way back home yesterday, I passed by Sigma Mall where a lot of young, college couples were hanging around. One pair was crossing the road and the guy was running after the girl, probably trying to keep pace with her. She seemed as if she was disinterested in this guy behind her and had a sort of look that said "Keep pace with me you insect!" The guy kept asking her something with a very 'innocent' sort of face. I thought he was asking something like "Shall I cross the road now darling?" Tsk tsk.

So, I wondered, who actually has an upperhand during courtship? Is it the lady who acts like as if she can spurn her lover with just looks or is it the guy who allows himself to be spurned but is relentless in his pursuit?

The man could be leading the way I think. He buys her flowers, chocolates, expensive gifts, takes her to expensive joints and he gets the girl to believe he will do any thing for her and also gets her to do anything for him (like letting him videotape her while she strips and then sending an MMS to everyone). The woman becomes gullible. Dev D portrayed that well.

But why does it happen? Don't girls realise the mistake they make when they get intimate with guys who cannot be trusted? Or is love so blind that it fogs their thinking? Or is it the belief that they can always get out of a tricky situation easily? I wonder...