# Subtle signs that someone is deviant **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 13, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203 "2011-09-13T21:15:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/41 "2011-09-14T01:17:04Z")
Though I never work before 7am I am awake at 3am fairly regularly and can occasionally be found outside (not drunk; I am never drunk and do not go to bars). I like to go on walks for no good reason. And I am someone who occasionally enjoys walking around malls for hours and trying lots of things on but not buying much. I have a crooked smile and often smile with only one side of my mouth (not intentionally). I assure you I am a deeply boring and quite moral person! I also almost never wear makeup and most often dress casually. I don’t look the way I do in an attempt to send signals to men, I don’t look awful (though my body type is what a lot of people would consider ‘barely pubescent’), and guys hit on me in my natural state all the time. They mostly seem perfectly normal. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/42 "2011-09-14T01:40:52Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > They listen to Pop music. > > They call soft drinks Pop. > > They refer to their father as Pop. > > They Pop their knuckles. Why I aughta pop you in the mouth for that! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/43 "2011-09-14T01:46:23Z")
I walk through neighborhoods all the time. I do it because I like to walk and look at things that I would miss passing by in a car. It’s not the most normal behavior, I admit, but deviant? Please. There are lot of things people do that are normal but make no sense. Like, I save a ton of money by walking instead of driving, while also getting my daily exercise. So it makes sense for me to walk. But I know it’s not normal. I’ve always tended to be more interested in rationality than conventionality. Getting hit on while being “dressed down”. A guy may not know that you are “dressed down”. Or they may be drawn to that. It may be “deviant”, but I sure wish more guys were like this. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/44 "2011-09-14T01:50:43Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > -People who give half-sided smiles. You mean like [him](http://trialx.com/curetalk/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2011/03/gcelebrities/Jean_Chr%C3%A9Tien,-1.jpg)? > [@Diamonds02](#): > > -People who wander around aimlessly in stores and malls, without any obvious purpose. Gee thanks. I often go to malls without any particular intent to buy anything (and in fact often end up not buying anything). I just wander around [del]staring at all the other weirdos[/del]people watching. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/45 "2011-09-14T02:04:27Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > When I say awake at 3am, I mean out and about, not in their house. I work overnight, and am vaguely creeped out by anyone I see who doesn’t appear they coming from work, going to work, or coming home from a bar. Then I guess I’m a deviant. I guess that the cool breeze and complete lack of traffic being ideal for walking doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/46 "2011-09-14T02:24:58Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Pretty much everyone in North America is deviant according to the Ayatollahs of Iran. Well sure, when it’s three am in Iran, it’s the middle of the afternoon here in North America and everyone’s still up. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/47 "2011-09-14T02:35:38Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > -People who won’t use facebook, texts, or emails or any other form of electronic communication. And people who don’t have CELL PHONES, but could afford them. I hate the amish too. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/48 "2011-09-14T02:46:58Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > -This is a big one. Men who hit on me, when I look terrible. No make-up, hat on, sweats, etc. I’m just curious. Do you mean that the act itself is deviant, or that people who do such a thing later turn out to be deviant in some other way? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/49 "2011-09-14T03:08:18Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > Tinted windows: Can block sun rays, and…can hide a kidnapped kid, a naked prostitute with duct tape across her mouth in the backseat, someone doing a line of coke on the arm rest, a man jacking off to amputee porn. Also, it can hide the race, gender, and general appearance of the driver and passengers. Why am I reminded of that old thread from the lady who assumed that because a guy who was working on her home used the bathroom that he must be jacking off in there? ETA: Found it! [No, you can't use my bathroom - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=324485) ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/50 "2011-09-14T03:46:50Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > -This is a big one. Men who hit on me, when I look terrible. No make-up, hat on, sweats, etc. I bet you look hideous. NO make-up! And get this… wearing a HAT!!! I think I’m going to bet my buddy that there is no way he could turn you into the prom queen. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/51 "2011-09-14T03:48:52Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > -Just about anyone I see up and awake 3am on a week day, and it doesn’t appear to be work related. > ? Look at watch… Seems I’m a deviant. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/52 "2011-09-14T03:49:32Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > This is a big one. Men who hit on me, when I look terrible. No make-up, hat on, sweats, etc. I agree with this. I HATE women who exude a natural radiance and beauty without the war paint. I kick them out of my bed. Or cuddle them, because they are just as sweet as the night before. There’s a lot of self-hate going on in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine_and_Smiles)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/53 "2011-09-14T03:54:21Z")
**10 Subtle Signs of Deviancy** \*\*1. Puts unwrapped cookies into pockets \*\* 1b. And later offers you one. **2. Misses belt loops around the back** 2b. For a week straight. The same one - back and to the left. \*\*3. Smokes cigarettes \*\* 3b. Backwards. **4. Claims to have worked for a top secret paramilitary unit** 4b. An awful lot despite it being, you know, top secret and nonexistent and all. **5. Attended a dance with a relative** 5b. And still talks about getting lucky. **6. Notably good at "crab-walking"** 6b. and pole dancing. **7. Plays hacky sack** 7b. While jacking off. **8. Consistently smells like food, drugs, sex, or any combination of the three** 8b. And consistently has food, drugs, or sex (or any combination of the three) in plain sight. **9. Drives with headlights off at night** 9b. And then kills you with a shotgun in a brutal gang initiation rite after you were only trying to be a Good Samaritan. **10. Prefers to be called a nickname generally unrelated to their birth name, such as “Whitey”, “Mop”, “Kid Blaze”, or “Pop Ski-Dubbley”.** **==================================================** Study hard, everyone. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/54 "2011-09-14T03:58:52Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > I understand that women can be cute when they aren’t made up. But, the reason why I find men creepy when they hit on women dressed really down, is that such women do it on purpose NOT to attract attention from men. It’s a social cue. Might be true for you, but I’d guess that this idea doesn’t cross the mind of most women who don’t dress up. In fact, plenty of women essentially never dress up. IOW, I doubt it’s a social clue outside of your head. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/55 "2011-09-14T04:09:03Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Look at watch… Seems I’m a deviant. You’re from France; you’ve always been a deviant. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/56 "2011-09-14T04:17:33Z")
Someone who semi-consciously suspects herself of being an opinionated small-minded twit, who interprets anyone slightly different than her as ipso facto a threat (using the euphemism “deviant” for “threatening”). In another decade or century, people like that would be accusing their neighbors of being communists or witches. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/57 "2011-09-14T04:29:58Z")
Oh come on, there is a difference between “throwing on jeans and a tee-shirt and running to the corner store looking somewhat tousled” and “stumbling around haggard and red-eyed and red nosed with scabby chapped lips, with mascara smudged into deep circles around the eyes, with a $.99 Store acrylic beanie half-covering my limp, greasy, tangled hair, while walking around braless in a huge Garfield tee-shirt with a mustard stain on it and a hole in the armpit and my boyfriend’s sweat pants that basically fit like a puddle.” If I’m sick and running to the store for some NyQuil, you’re gonna get the latter. And yeah, if you hit on that it’s a pretty big sign that something weird is going on in your head. For me- if you primarily listen to trance or house music- especially if they listen to it outside of a club setting. I know you all are going to tell me “No, I’m a public defender and I LOVE trance music!,” but in my experience people into these genres tend to be unreliable at best. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/58 "2011-09-14T04:33:23Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > Oh come on, there is a difference between “throwing on jeans and a tee-shirt and running to the corner store looking somewhat tousled” and “stumbling around haggard and red-eyed and red nosed with scabby chapped lips, with mascara smudged into deep circles around the eyes, with a $.99 Store acrylic beanie half-covering my limp, greasy, tangled hair, while walking around braless in a huge Garfield tee-shirt with a mustard stain on it and a hole in the armpit and my boyfriend’s sweat pants that basically fit like a puddle.” > > If I’m sick and running to the store for some NyQuil, you’re gonna get the latter. And yeah, if you hit on that it’s a pretty big sign that something weird is going on in your head. How you doin’? ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/59 "2011-09-14T04:41:37Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > My fake smiles are both-sided. > > My real smiles are left-sided. > > I guess I’m deviant. Me too. Though I have crappy teeth so I’m not likely to let it all out unless I’m around friends who already know, lol. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203/60 "2011-09-14T04:46:54Z")
Ok, I can understand the annoyance of being hit on when you’re decidedly and probably obviously NOT looking to be picked up. I don’t _necessarily_ think someone’s a deviant for trying to grab really low-hanging fruit, but honestly, it comes across as desperate at the least, and possibly aggressive in a ‘Oh look, this one won’t fight back much’ way. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ever talk to a lady not dressed to the nines, but come on. Pick a better time to crank up the charm than when she’s looking defenseless. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-signs-that-someone-is-deviant/596203.md?page=4)