"I also find that people now assume I own every venue I am standing in. If I go to a bar, or a party, or a fundraiser, or a restaurant, or any sort of gathering, people will mistake me for the organizer/owner." I'm that guy, too. Or, I'm that guy when I'm not frowning. It's a combination of confidence and friendliness - it isn't 100% necessary that you be the guy they're looking for, so long as you're the guy who won't mind them trying you out. It's an asset, believe me.When I solo hike I'm the person people approach to ask for directions, distances, view points, etc., like they think I'm so sort of expert.
I say hi/good morning/good afternoon to almost every single person on a trail. It's unsettling when they don't say anything back. Maybe one day this will do something to alleviate my perpetual state of unrest.