Why Do People Stare?

ldrosophila

I have the tendency to stare at absolutely nothing. If you happen to be in my field of vision it might look like I am staring at you but believe me I am not.

This^^^^^
I'm probably thinking about my nails or what I want to make for dinner.

triciab79

You seem a bit grumpy. Maybe they are talking about your attitude behind your back? If so I would suggest they continue to do so cause you don't strike me as the kind of person who would take that information as constructive criticism.

lovelyMYlovely

yes this!! haha i LOVE when i see pretty girls staring at me... it makes me think they may think im better than them... haha... but when a guy stares at me for some reason i think he is thinking about all my flaws.

phoenix_59

because they want to know who my hair stylist is and are afraid to ask...

28DebRena

lol

28DebRena

Mom! He's lookin' at me!!!

I get stared at from time to time. I figure it's 'cuz I'm just so white & nerdy.

Hahaha...best answer ever!!! ^_^

crazytreelady

I stare out of respect as in class, my professors deserve my attention.
Sometimes I stare out of shear droolingness, as in the person is so hot that my jaw drops and I drool a little whilst looking like a dear in headlight.

ANNNNNND whenever some one talks with an accent (outside of Canadian), I stare, my jaw also drops... I don't know why, it's like hearing some Beethovens lost symphony.

alliegator1982

I may try this, cant do it but my face will likely make them **** off

WHAT THE FRENCH?!?!

BobinNC66

^^^^^Whoaaaa that is totally creepy!!!

Matt_Wild

I've just got used to it in the gym myself when training.

AntWrig

I mean who wouldn't stare at me?

fitfreakymom

People stare at me because of my tattoos..I couldn't care less.

same

lorenzoinlr

I kinda look like someone famous so I get stared at all the time as they try to figure out if I'm them. It drove a gf crazy, she'd sometimes say no he's not him.

It's a voyeuristic world, just look at the popularity of reality shows.

EvgeniZyntx

Maybe they are German? (It's a stereotype with some truth...)


http://mygermantravels.com/2011/03/german-staring-is-a-sport/

If staring becomes an Olympic sport, the gold medal goes to Germany. When walking down a German cobbled street, the hairs on the back of your neck begin to prickle. Someone is staring at you. Why do Germans stare? Why do we feel uncomfortable under their gaze?

Glotzend is the German word for staring. The cold and unblinking gaze may be generational. Staring at strangers is more the hobby of the Deutsche elderly. Spiegel’s theory in their article, Whatcha Looking at Granny? “Germans will make sure that not only their own, but everyone else’s space, is in perfect Ordnung. “ This may especially be true with the veterans of East Germany, where watching neighbors was a communist requirement. Others believe staring at people is a national pastime, like a live reality television show.

The cold gaze is also part of the young at heart. In another Spiegel article, Flirting with Fräuleins, Hunting for Herren, “Interest is indicated by way of a studied, concentrated look on the part of the man — a gaze which may, but often doesn’t, include a smile.”

Speaking of romance, the legend of Deutsche staring morphed into a reported study by a German scientist, Dr. Karen Weatherby, claiming that gazing at women’s breasts helped male circulation. According to Dr. Weatherby, “Just 10 minutes of staring at the charms of a well-endowed female, is roughly equivalent to a 30-minute aerobics work-out.” Reported around the world, men dropped gym membership, and women protested. Dr. Weatherby, who sounded more British than German, turned out to be a hoax.

As the targets of stares, tourists feel uncomfortable. From the blog, Why Germans Stare, “Walking down the street you gather stares from people in their windows, people sitting at cafés, people walking the other direction.” Psychologist Jacques Duncan theorizes staring victims, “. . . loses some sense of autonomy upon realizing that he or she is a visible object.” A controversial scientist, Dr. Rupert Sheldrake argues humans posses a sixth sense that tells them a person is staring at them. “Many people have stared at other people’s backs, for example in a lecture theater, and watched them become restless and then turn round.”

....

liesevanlingen

If it really bugs you, hon, you could stare back for a minute or so, and if they don't look away, say "Can I help you?" or "Did you want something?" just to call their attention to the fact that you know they are staring at you. Most people will look away once they realize what they are doing.

Timshel_

I don't have much starring, but I did have a girl at the college doing it A LOT yesterday. Honestly, though it is flattering, it was weird.

FitWithWit44

EvgeniZyntx

surfinbird_1981

I just ask them if I can help...

mockchoc

I kinda look like someone famous so I get stared at all the time as they try to figure out if I'm them. It drove a gf crazy, she'd sometimes say no he's not him.

It's a voyeuristic world, just look at the popularity of reality shows.

Billy Joel right?!