# When someone stares at you **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 13, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228 "2013-02-13T22:43:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/21 "2013-02-14T15:12:51Z")
Never happens. Or if it does I’m oblivious to it. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/22 "2013-02-14T15:44:41Z")
I probably wouldn’t even notice, and if I did I’d probably assume that they were gapping out and their gaze happened to fall on me. Because I do that myself, gap out thinking and it might look like I’m staring at someone. Either that or assume they figure I’m hot, and they’re right… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/23 "2013-02-14T15:55:47Z")
A few days ago I was on the metro, and this girl was loudly swearing about all the people daring to look at her. I mean really swearing, ugly stuff, shouting it out. Duh, they’re looking at you because you’re swearing. I turned around to look at her too, causing another string of profanity. It was pretty funny, but I’m still glad that my bike is back in working order. I don’t know what I think when people stare at me, but at least I can be sure it is not because I’m swearing about them looking at me. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/24 "2013-02-14T16:24:41Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > It happens fairly often, and it’s always a man. Ha, yeah. So I assume he’s trying to make eye contact for an opening to speak with me, because I swear to Dog, if you give a man what he thinks is a hint that you’re interested, he’ll try to finagle some excuse to talk to you. Oh god, I was at the Post Office last week, and this dude in the front of the line was staring me down big time, so I start playing around on my phone, pretending like I’m doing something, vigorously avoiding eye contact with him. Then I see after he’s done sending his package or whatever he’s _still there_ lingering in the lobby looking at me. Fucking guy. So I stay buried in word games on my phone, never even looking up for one second, and he \*still \*talks to me, interrupts what the fuck I’m doing (which is nothing, but still) and asks me if I’m married. Chucklefuck. How do you just go up to someone and ask “Are you married?” What kind of question is that to ask a stranger? It’s funny now, but I wanted to stab him at the time. If it’s a woman, I just assume she has a staring problem and ignore it. ---
**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/25 "2013-02-14T17:00:53Z")
"They’re being an asshole, staring at that “cripple” in the scooter or wheelchair (I use both). " Glad to see you’ve adjusted so well to your circumstances. Consider therapy. ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/26 "2013-02-14T17:12:50Z")
I usually assume they think I’m good looking. I want to say, “shake your head, your eyes are stuck”, but never do. Occasionally I’ll smile or frown depending on the person. ---
**Author:** ![solosam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@solosam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solosam)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/27 "2013-02-14T17:17:49Z")
I usually interpret it as a sign of aggression. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/28 "2013-02-14T17:31:57Z")
Obviously they want to get racked in the eye. The time-honored response is; “What the f- you lookin’ at?” ---
**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/29 "2013-02-14T18:29:51Z")
" get stared at a lot by Indians, because I don’t look very Indian" Uh, what? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/30 "2013-02-14T18:35:47Z")
> [@FrankJBN](#): > > " get stared at a lot by Indians, because I don’t look very Indian" > > Uh, what? Hey **Frank**. See that quote button to the bottom right of the posts that you are quoting? Please use it. It will cause less confusion. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/31 "2013-02-15T01:16:11Z")
I suspect that they are wondering where my trousers are. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2013, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/32 "2013-02-15T02:10:56Z")
> [@G0sp3l](#): > > Obviously they want to get racked in the eye. The time-honored response is; > > “What the f- you lookin’ at?” And the response to _that_ is, “I don’t know - I’m not a scientist.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Butcher\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Butcher\_Cook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Butcher_Cook)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/33 "2013-02-15T02:19:06Z")
People stare at me all the time. I think it is because I am strikingly handsome and both men and women want to share time with me. It is unfortunate for them, however, because my time is reserved for four-legged beasts of burden, such as oxen or yak. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/34 "2013-02-15T02:33:10Z")
I got gawked at so much in China and Japan that I hardly notice now. When it happens now it’s usually someone who recognizes me from one of my many library programs or music shows. It’s tough being attractive and talented. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/35 "2013-02-15T02:57:14Z")
> [@Butcher\_Cook](#): > > People both men and women want to share time with me. It is unfortunate for them, however, because my time is reserved for four-legged beasts of burden, such as oxen or yak. Dude, _ **T-M-I** _. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/36 "2013-02-15T03:59:55Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Ha, yeah. So I assume he’s trying to make eye contact for an opening to speak with me, because I swear to Dog, if you give a man what he thinks is a hint that you’re interested, he’ll try to finagle some excuse to talk to you. Nah, here in the frozen northeast we’re taught not to bother strangers by talking to them unless absolutely necessary, so they mostly stare until I embarass them by noticing. I wish more would talk, actually… ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/37 "2013-02-15T13:53:09Z")
I just assume they think I’m someone they know, or are looking at someone beside/behind me. I was a bartender for a lot of years, so it wouldn’t freak me out much, I expect. When you bartender pretty much everyone at the bar is always watching, so I have become quite indifferent through the years. In truth, I’d probably not even notice. In fact I have been out with another girlfriend, only to be told as we exit, “Oh my God! Did you not see that guy? He was totally checking you out!” Even then, my first thought is: I probably served them sometime, I some bar, and they are just trying to figure out why I seem familiar to them! ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/38 "2013-02-15T15:37:49Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Ha, yeah. So I assume he’s trying to make eye contact for an opening to speak with me, because I swear to Dog, if you give a man what he thinks is a hint that you’re interested, he’ll try to finagle some excuse to talk to you. Well, if you make eye contact you’re shamelessly flirting. If you avoid eye contact, you’re interested but playing hard to get. You can’t win. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/39 "2013-02-15T15:47:35Z")
1. Jam my finger into my nose. 2. Wiggle it 3. Smile right at them. Works every time. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228/40 "2013-02-15T17:00:02Z")
> [@G0sp3l](#): > > Obviously they want to get racked in the eye. The time-honored response is; > > “What the f- you lookin’ at?” You keep staring so hard, you’re going to see me punch you in the face. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-stares-at-you/650228.md?page=3)