What is your reaction when somebody stares at you?

Boston, Massachusetts
September 25, 2012 11:49am CST
Hi Mylot Friends, When I first came to the United States, I was informed that staring somebody is not good whether you're just showing your appreciation about the person, or your annoyed, amazed and whatever is the reason, staring is not advisable. I don't mind being stared at as long as you will not come close and do me bad it will be a different story. But just staring, I don't care. Based on my experience, I can decipher whether the "stare" is scary, fancy or flirty. I just ignored them and continue what I am doing whether i am walking, shopping, sitting in the bus or train, eating, etc. How about you? how do you feel about "STARES", what is your reaction when somebody stares at you? I will appreciate hearing from you. Thank you!!!
2 people like this
23 responses
@babyeve (1048)
• Seychelles
26 Sep 12
Ha ha here in my country people stares at others a lot. It is merely a bad habit that everyone here has. I try my best not to do it because it is rude to do so. When people stares at me I just ignore them if I know that nothing is wrong with me. That's life!!!
• Boston, Massachusetts
3 Oct 12
Hi Baby, Really? so staring is just an ordinary thing in your country though it's recognized as being rude or making another person feel uncomfortable. I hope there's not much crime reported that's related to staring in your country. Scary but it your people will be like you of just ignoring it then there will be no trouble. Thanks for sharing and wish you all the best in life and career! Have a great day!!!
@babyeve (1048)
• Seychelles
4 Oct 12
Yes here it is an ordinary thing. Nope there are no crimes of that sort reported yet. lol Thanks for your nice wish and have a nice day too. :)
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
25 Sep 12
I don't know of one situation where staring is good unless the one who is staring is lost in thought and doesn't realize he/she is gazing at another person. In some situations, staring can mean tat someone has bad intentions toward you and in other situation, it's just rude. I feel uncomfortable when someone stares at me, regardless of why they do it.
2 people like this
• Boston, Massachusetts
25 Sep 12
Hi Peavey, I think I did that...staring or looking at another person for no reason at all--my mind is blocked and nothing's going on. It's just a pause for me without realizing that I am staring another person or my eyes got stuck on her/him. Thanks God, it did not put me in trouble. Now I will be more careful. That's the scary part of "staring" when you can sense some danger out of the looks. I will not only ignore it but will surely walk as fast as I can to get out of his/her sight. You're right...being stared at gives you an awkward/uncomfortable feeling!
• Boston, Massachusetts
25 Sep 12
By the way thank you for taking the time to respond on my discussion!
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
5 Oct 12
In polite circles in the U.S. staring is considered rude. When someone is staring intently it makes you wonder why they are looking at you and what they are thinking. it's true there are different kinds of stares, but I think the rule that you should not stare or gawk came about as a class thing.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
10 Oct 12
Hugs, M!
• Boston, Massachusetts
10 Oct 12
Hi C, Thanks for dropping by. Yes you are right that's one of the things I learned and really so careful not to stare at all as it's really rude. Yes C, there's different kinds of stares LOL. Have a lovely day!!!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Sep 12
I'm at the age (not old but I feel it sometimes) that hardly anyone stares at me and the ones that do (men) already have a woman with them..and I'm with John. I find it very strange but amusing at the same time. It must be my large boobies..not many look at my face!!
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
25 Sep 12
Hi Jane, Nice to see you in my discussion. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Wow! Amazing! Men looking at you even if you are with your hubby and they're with their partners too...and you are affirming the fact that it's all about your boobies. You are gifted and you acknowledged it. You are really cool Jane. You cheered me up!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Sep 12
I've never thought of myself as being 'gifted' for having large boobies but I'll take it lol. It's lovely to see you back here..how long have you been back? Are you OK in the US?
1 person likes this
@annavi23 (6522)
• Philippines
26 Sep 12
just like you said, stare can be like scary, fancy or flirty. i don't like being stared at. cause it does gives me creeps specially when it is a guy who doesn't look good or like a street person who looks like he doesn't know who he is. Sometimes, i do ignore them. but you can see they are staring if they are like that for few minutes... must ask them what is it they are staring at...
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Oct 12
Hi Annavi, I admire you for having the guts to approach and ask them for reasons why they are staring at you. As for me I will just ignore it and will not engage into any conversation with them. I will be scared. Thank you for your time to respond on my discussion!
• Boston, Massachusetts
3 Oct 12
Oh wow! Really? that's funny cool. But you have a point there. He might be attracted to you but does not have the guts to approach you. He just contained himself to staring. Well, sorry for him not knowing you more LOL! Thanks for this story!
@annavi23 (6522)
• Philippines
3 Oct 12
hello msf, well, actually i don't have the guts to tell it right ahead. let me tell you a story back then when we were in the hospital with my niece and my siblings. my niece was confined back then and the two of us are lying in bed that time when suddenly there was a guy who was a visitor of the patient beside us who keeps on looking at us, i really don't know what he is looking at. but then there comes my sister who also visited us and she was standing beside the guy since the room is just small and it is a ward. well, i told my sister that guy keeps on looking at our things or whatever it is at us. she then asked the guy, what is it? (with a kind-of-mad tone) haha then the guy suddenly look away and didn't say a word. from then on, he didn't look again or even glance...at all. after few minutes, he left with his friends... See, i told you i don't have the guts, but then i think if the guy still looks again, that would be my time to stare at him and ask him what's his problem? well, it depends also on what i see in him or her... ^_^
1 person likes this
• India
26 Sep 12
some years back if some one stares at me, i loose my control and i start fight with them. But as years pass i came to know that if some one stares we are not loosing any thing , if we are not responding nothing will happen and the situation is quite. i feel my second attitude is better than later.
2 people like this
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Oct 12
Hi Rohithkiran, Wow, that's a good reflection about how you react to things and manage your emotions. At least no more fights this time but more careful about what's going on around you. And if it's really working this time --so be it and enjoy life! Cheers and blessings! Thanks for your response!
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
26 Sep 12
I just ignore them.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
3 Oct 12
Thanks Dawn. That's the best reaction to do...IGNORE!!! Have a nice day!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
25 Sep 12
The time that it actually bothers me is when I am at work. When I am working sometimes there are people in other lines that I could grab but first I want to make sure I have bags strung up to use etc, and there are some people who will stare at you until you motion for them to come over or until you walk to the top of the line and wait. I find that to be rude. I understand you want to know if I am open but using your words does that more then staring. Sometimes I will just ignore it until I am done and then just look at them and nod, other times I do motion them over. When out in public in any other situation I either ignore it or I might walk right by them talking about how rude it is that they are staring at me.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
25 Sep 12
Hello Cowgirl, Yes, it's really rude but you did the right thing of just ignoring them not unless you have a business to do with them wherein they're waiting for a signal act on like what you mentioned in you first paragraph. I admire your courage to walk right by them and tell them about being rude for staring at you. I will not say anything instead i might just look at them and my look will say it all. Thanks Cowgirl for sharing your thoughts about this discussion. Have a great evening!!!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
26 Sep 12
I think it's more of a nicety to tell them that they are staring, it makes them feel embarrassed and realize how wrong they are. It's rude to stare, it really is, but I do understand when people are deep in thought instead, as I have done this, feeling embarrassed after waking up from my reverie and seeing I've been staring.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Sep 12
If I find that someone is staring at me, I just assume that the person is a rude individual and, quite likely, dimwitted. I've both visited and lived in some areas where the locals would stare, open-mouthed, slack jawed at anyone who was decently dressed and appeared to have a triple digit IQ.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
26 Sep 12
Hi Wilsongoddard, Thanks for your response. Bottom-line staring anybody is really rude whatever reason they may have to make it as an excuse. Ignoring them is just the best way that we can really do wherever we go to. Have a great afternoon!
@stanley777 (9402)
• Philippines
26 Sep 12
If I don't know the person I would be angry or I would ask if there's any problem or if I'm bothering him/her. it's not a good attitude for a person to stare at someone especially if he/she doesn't know the person. Staring could also lead to provocation.
• Boston, Massachusetts
3 Oct 12
Hi Stanley, I definitely agree with all that you said. You are so sensitive (in a positive way)and concern about other peoples thoughts and feelings that you don't want to do the same to you. Most of the time stare leads to trouble. Thanks for responding and have a great day!!!
• Philippines
26 Sep 12
Before I get so conscious when somebody stares at me especially if it's a guy. I keep on thinking what is the reason that he's staring but now that I've matured, I really don't care. If they stare at me I stare back and they look away immediately. lol
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Oct 12
Hi Ferianneful, Well said! That's confidence. You might be adorable that guys can't helped it but to stare at you. That's a good self affirmation. Hurray to that! Thanks for your response!!!
@MANJET (84)
• Malaysia
26 Sep 12
Staring is pretty negative as the word sounds so. But if you just look at people face and eyes to appreciate and to be sincere to them. I think that is quite fine. I normally look into their eyes when talking to them but it is not staring. Staring is like when you have this negative feeling in you such as anger and you stare at someone who offended you.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
3 Oct 12
Hi Manjet, I do the same thing too when I talk to people. But just to stare is weird and annoying. Then if you truly appreciate somebody then when you stare couple it with words of compliment so it will result to positive and happy feeling. It's nice to know that you look in the eye not just stare but admire or appreciate a person. Have a wonderful day and thanks for sharing your thoughts in my discussion.
@Jatelo2 (166)
• Nairobi, Kenya
26 Sep 12
And how to you categorize States as Scary, flirt or Fancy? Anyway I have a lot of problems with those who stare at me without talking. If they let me know why they are staring the fine, if not I usually confront them!
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Oct 12
Hi Jatelo, The categories I mentioned were based on my experience of how I perceived the way they stare at me but most of the time i don't mind as long as they're just staring at me and no intention to do me harm. At least you are brave enough to approach and confront them and know the reason why they're staring at you. Thanks for your sharing!
@Tam1204 (59)
• United States
26 Sep 12
I either smile and wave at the person or just ignore them. It depends on my mood. I am not a self conscious person so it doesn't bother me. I do know a lot of people that are bothered by it.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
3 Oct 12
Hi Tam, At least you are confident about yourself and not be bothered about being stared at. Waving is a good way to counteract a stare. At least you are letting the person know that you are aware about him/her staring at you and maybe you wanted to know why. At least you tool it positively not take it seriously or be affected by it. Take care and have a lovely day. Thanks for sharing!
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
26 Sep 12
Hi msfrancisco,I agree that sometimes it is very embarrassing when people keep staring at you and you are not sure why they are doing it.I have noticed that sometimes when people are thinking about something they look at someone without actually concentrating and we may think that the person is staring at us..That is one kind of staring and as for the other kind of staring when people are actually staring, it is difficult to totally ignore it and can be uncomfortable ..all the best
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Oct 12
Hi Kiran, Stares used to make us feel paranoid that it's a negative "look". You're right, most of the time it might just be a "blank" look where the person is thinking of something else and sad to say his or her eyes got stuck on you without any meaning at all. Thanks for taking the time to respond!
@Fulltank (2882)
• Philippines
26 Sep 12
Good for us as staring does not constitute of being rude here. So anyone can stare at somebody without the feeling of rudeness. I can stare to anyone as long as I don't show any "malice" facial expression to the other person. And often times I simply stare back when I notice someone stares at me. But I knew that other countries find staring as an act of rudeness. I hope that you can adjust to your new home right now.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Oct 12
Dear Fulltank, That's good! At least you will not be trouble for staring. As long as it will not make another person uncomfortable, it's fine. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this discussion!
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
26 Sep 12
I hate being stared at. My initial reaction would always be turning away from that person and go off.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
1 Oct 12
Hi Jenny, That's right...that's the best thing to do when we're not sure what that stare is all about. At least you will be spared from any further trouble. Cool reaction! Thanks for your response!
• China
26 Sep 12
As for me,my reaction will depend on who is staring at me,if it is a guy,I will just ignore him and keep do what I am doing,but if it is a beautiful,that will be total different,I will come to that girl and try to find subject to talk about,lol. Just kidding,actually I do not care be staring.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
3 Oct 12
Hi Sky, Aha, so it depended on who's staring at you? hopefully, with the cuties it will be a flirty look and will resulted positive when you approach them. That's cool. But who care's attitude is fine just like ignoring them is the safest thing to do. Thanks for your response!
• Philippines
26 Sep 12
I wonder why he/ she stares at me. But my immediate reaction if someone stares at me is that "do he/she knows me?" or "do I know him/her in some places?" There are times that I sometimes stare to somebody or someone because I just thought I knew him/her before, or we met somewhere but I can't totally remember where or when. But I do also agree that there are different meanings of STARES, and you can identify it if it's in good intention or not. If its not then try to ignore it or run. ^_^
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Oct 12
Hi Ofzhernandez, It's quite embarrassing when you are trying to figure out if you know the person and started staring at him or her and then she will react negatively or annoyed. Good if you know the person and her or she recognized you but if not it's really embarrassing and scary. They might do something that can hurt you/us. Thanks for your response!
• United States
25 Sep 12
It depends on the way that some one is staring at me. Sometimes if I know some one is staring at me in a serious way but it is not a serious conversation I may point it out to them or do something silly like make faces. Other times I may try and hide. Many times I may just stare back at them with enough intensity that we both laugh ot the "staring contest" is on
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
1 Oct 12
Hi Kit, That's cute and funny! Staring-contest...wow! I haven't try it. Maybe with my hubby and then you know what's going to happen next right???!!! Thanks for responding!