Is stalking really something beautiful women need to have in mind all the time?

I was at my wife's Christmas party and I almost didn't recognize her. She's the kindest and funniest person I've ever met and all our friends and family think this about her and yet she's a totally different person at her job. Stern, standoffish and very rude.

When we got home I talked to her about it and she didn't deny it.

Yes, she said, all they need from me is to do my job and I do it well. I don't want to give a loser the impression that I have any interest in them.

I asked her to explain and she said that often there's always this man who would interpret her pleasantness as interest and they would not have it any other way. She doesn't want a stalker who read the signs wrong. Innocently or on purpose.

I don't want to risk it, she said, and she was so matter of fact about it.

It made me feel sad. She is a very beautiful woman and I am very aware of that. I just didn't know that she feared men to this degree. Is this something all beautiful women experience? I would love to gain more perspective. I am not accusing my wife of being severe, I just want to understand.

Thank you