It’s not a minefield.

It’s no different than getting someone’s name wrong and having them say “that’s not right, my name is John”. It’s not a gotcha.

If someone says “don’t call me a man” there are literally an undefinably large number of ways to just not use “man” (or guy, or dude, or bro). Nobody is trying to catch you out or looking for a reason to correct you. It’s just a basic thing to refer to someone in the way they prefer. Like how some Women for **decades** have preferred maritally ambiguous titles like Mz instead of Mrs or Ms.

Instead of “you’re a handsome man” you could just say “you’re beautiful” and everything would be fine.
Of course, I know all this. I don't think it's the same thing as a form of address such as Mr. or Ms., however. In a neutral situation where, for instance, you are dealing with a co-worker, that's totally fine. But when it comes to personal attraction, that's a hard no for me.
 
Of course, I know all this. I don't think it's the same thing as a form of address such as Mr. or Ms., however. In a neutral situation where, for instance, you are dealing with a co-worker, that's totally fine. But when it comes to personal attraction, that's a hard no for me.
That’s ok he’s under no responsibility to be attractive to you, and you have no legitimate expectation that he should give one single fuck.
 
That’s ok he’s under no responsibility to be attractive to you, and you have no legitimate expectation that he should give one single fuck.
I actually don't find him physically attractive at all, but thank you for stating the obvious!