# Do People Stare At You, And Why Do They Do That? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 23, 2010, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635 "2010-11-23T05:01:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/61 "2010-11-27T04:34:35Z")
> [@Snake\_Plissken](#): > > I got stared at all the time when I lived in RI. I was a chef there and did a lot of TV and radio. I didnt mind at all since I was very much the extrovert/attention whore. I’m wracking my brains trying to think of any chefs I’ve seen on TV other than Chef Terranova, haha! If I ever stared at you, apolologies. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/62 "2010-11-27T06:15:10Z")
I have noticed that I am not stared at, tend to blend right in and no one seems to notice me. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/63 "2010-11-27T07:21:12Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I get that also. When I am well enough to just use crutches, I get a lot of comment on them. I have custom [purple folding canadians](http://www.awardprosthetics.com/AwardFoldingCrutches.html) OK, I admit, they are purple…=) > > I can highly recommend these folks. Good customer service, and the foldability means I can actually fold them up and put them in a bag on my travel chair and be able to get up and gimp around on an airplane or when I need to transfer or whatever. Though the elastic cord inside is whippy as hell and nailed me once or twice while I was getting used to them. > > I get more comments on the canadians and how much easier they are than the standard axillary ones. SOOOO tempted to change my title to “Purple Folding Canadian.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/64 "2010-11-27T08:39:11Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > SOOOO tempted to change my title to “Purple Folding Canadian.” 😃 Knock yourself out=) Wait, don’t - concussions suck … ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/65 "2010-11-27T20:13:37Z")
When people stare at me. It’s go time for a staredown. I fucking hate it. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/66 "2010-11-27T21:36:26Z")
It happens to me all the time, especially in stores right before I hear “do you work here?” I don’t find it rude at all. Somebody is looking at me - so what? Some people in this thread are acting as if it’s the same thing as somebody putting their finger in your nose. Frankly it sounds so… 8th grade. It’s the sort of things that kids and prison inmates start fights over. Getting all freaked-out because somebody is staring at you sounds like a symptom of a minor neurosis. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/67 "2010-11-27T21:38:50Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > Getting all freaked-out because somebody is staring at you sounds like a symptom of a minor neurosis. Not liking something or being uncomfortable does not equal getting all freaked out. ---
**Author:** ![MateoDeRotaeo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MateoDeRotaeo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MateoDeRotaeo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/68 "2010-11-27T21:38:54Z")
I find my self staring a lot at pretty women with great bodies. I admire their beauty… ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/69 "2010-11-27T21:41:42Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Not liking something or being uncomfortable does not equal getting all freaked out. I got that. That’s why I said “some people…” ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/70 "2010-11-27T21:47:02Z")
I am going to get my ass kicked for staring at the wrong person one day, I just know it. It’s a bad habit, but I am just infinitely fascinated with everything about the way people look and behave. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/71 "2010-11-27T22:03:38Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I am going to get my ass kicked for staring at the wrong person one day, I just know it. It’s a bad habit, but I am just infinitely fascinated with everything about the way people look and behave. Can you see me from Phoenix on a clear day? Stop it, stop looking at me!! :mad: 😛 ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/72 "2010-11-27T23:07:00Z")
You keep staring at me, you’re gonna see me punch you in the face. ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/73 "2010-11-28T05:07:40Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > It happens to me all the time, especially in stores right before I hear “do you work here?” > > I don’t find it rude at all. Somebody is looking at me - so what? Some people in this thread are acting as if it’s the same thing as somebody putting their finger in your nose. Frankly it sounds so… 8th grade. It’s the sort of things that kids and prison inmates start fights over. > > Getting all freaked-out because somebody is staring at you sounds like a symptom of a minor neurosis. For me it’s the long stare not the quick one that irks me. But I’m sure that doesn’t bother you either right ? ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/74 "2010-11-28T05:39:26Z")
I tend to melt into the background. I’m totally boring and average in appearance and have an extremely common first name and people have a hard time remembering me. Going to China for a few weeks was something else though. Constant stares all around. You’d think people in Beijing had never seen an ugly white girl before. On the one hand, the tour guides were bringing me forks and English language materials before I even asked, but on the other hand, it caused all the Chinese-born friends I was with to get ripped off at tourist prices because my mere presence gave us away. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/75 "2010-11-28T14:54:19Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > Going to China for a few weeks was something else though. Constant stares all around. You’d think people in Beijing had never seen an ugly white girl before. My brother is 6’ 6". His wife is 6’ 1". When they toured China they not only got stares, they had families asking for them to pose in pictures with them. ---
**Author:** ![Valerieblaise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Valerieblaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valerieblaise)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/76 "2010-11-28T14:58:36Z")
Often it’s because I’m out with two adorable English Bulldogs. I don’t know if only one of them would get as many stares, but the two of them together attract a lot of attention. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/77 "2010-11-28T16:55:19Z")
The only memorable time people stared at me, I mean turning their heads to stare at me, was the time one hot summer…I put on cute sandals, a tank top, and the cutest white shorts. These shorts were slit up the sides, which were laced up with crisscrossing cord, tied at the hem. Strutted through the mall, gettin’ eyeballed by people, thinking am I hottt or what? Sexy! Went in a store, glanced in a full length mirror, discovered to my horror I had forgotten to change into high-cut thongy panties. Raggedy old granny panty briefs showed through the slit. Black granny panty briefs.:smack: :o Another lace-up story: wore a cute white vest which also laced up the front with cord. Went to a club, danced, got lotsa looks from guys! Heads turning. Feeling hott! Friends came and found me. One of them grabbed the laces of my vest and pulled the gaping closing shut, tied a knot at the top - “you do realize you’re giving everyone a free show, don’t you?” Uh… ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/78 "2010-11-28T17:53:30Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > It happens to me all the time, especially in stores right before I hear “do you work here?” > > I don’t find it rude at all. Somebody is looking at me - so what? Some people in this thread are acting as if it’s the same thing as somebody putting their finger in your nose. Frankly it sounds so… 8th grade. It’s the sort of things that kids and prison inmates start fights over. > > Getting all freaked-out because somebody is staring at you sounds like a symptom of a minor neurosis. It’s offputing to have someone you don’t know fixating on you. You don’t know what their intentions are. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/79 "2010-11-29T09:47:14Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I get more comments on the canadians and how much easier they are than the standard axillary ones. The usual crutches are still the triangular ones, in the US? ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635/80 "2010-11-29T13:41:17Z")
They just stare and whisper, wherever I go. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-stare-at-you-and-why-do-they-do-that/561635.md?page=5)