There is definitely a lot of irrational thought that goes into this but

A part of why I have never been interested in going out for random dates is because I would always be thinking this person in front of me could be a pedophile or anything shitty really, and I am here supporting a facade where they get to appear as normal.

So I have always wanted to be friends first and explore their flaws and analyze them from that standing before ever getting involved romantically.