Hi Gegogi,
I totally agree with you when you said; “You can’t force somebody to desire or love you” , and in fact that was my whole point.
Let’s be honest here, 99% of guys who hang around with ladies they have been shot down by are actually being that Son of Narcissus you described. Why? because their motives aren’t pure in the least. They still want the woman, and would jump on any indication that the female would have them the way they want her to. That isn’t really being honest at all. In fact it’s “false advertising”. They still have the same feelings of desire for her and are simply hanging around for the opportuninity to present itself to move in on her again. THAT seems pretty self centered to me..
In fact, I stated that being friends with a woman, is different than being in the “friend zone”. They are two entirely different things. You can even be friends With a woman you are attracted to. I’ve got a number of them.
BUT, once you make a move on her, or state your desire to her and she doesn’t reciprocate the sentiment/respond in kind, it changes the whole dynamic of the relationship. How can it not?
“Riding off into the sunset” isn’t some self centered thing in the least. I see it as the mature thing to do that’s the best for all parties involved. It isn’t done in some cavalier, arrogant, “Screw You, you Bitch!” manner at all. Quite the opposite in fact… But riding away, in my opinion, is the best thing to do.
However, I respect your right to disagree with me. 
That is what makes this forum, and our world a great place.