I believe the reason is already laid out by someone with similar
experience...
(loudmonkey)
I think so too......
It's not a question of "ego"
When you "declined" by saying "let's be friends first to know
each other better"
It set off a series of thought process.....
So the guy became disinterested and demotivated....
Im not saying whether this is right or wrong, or whether what
you did is right or wrong....
Maybe learn from this experience.......