Ever Been "Caught" Staring At Someone For "Too long"? (female, male)

[tijlover]

I read that when a glance turns to a stare, it's a matter of 3 seconds.

I'm a great people watcher, put me at a sidewalk café with lots of pedestrian activity, and I'm in heaven! And, in many cases, it's a matter of studying people.

I'm fascinated with blood mixes, for one. I'll see someone and try to guess: He looks Asian, but, at the same time, he has Anglo features, or he looks Black, but not really, wonder what his racial mix consists of? I wonder what country he comes from?

Sometimes it's a matter of sexual attraction and, other times, you seem drawn to this person like there's some indefinable connection you can't quite fathom, a soulmate type of attraction, with no sexual attraction.

I've been "caught" a number of times, and it can be embarrassing when they ask: What are you staring at or Why are you staring at me?

Well, it get off the hook, I sometimes just say: You look like someone I went to high school with! Sorry about that!

And you? Ever been "caught" and were dumbstruck as how to respond?

[Pitt Chick]

Nothing to get caught at... I do not stare at people.

It IS possible to people-watch without making them uncomfortable.

[BirdieBelle]

No, OMG.

I agree that the art involved with people-watching is NOT staring.

If you are attempting to FLIRT, that's another matter altogether. If they demand to know why you're staring at them, you need to re-evaluate your methods.

[Mid America Lifer]

As a matter of honestly answering the question, yes I have.

Some of us learned years ago that looking at someone too long borders on creepy, never mind that we might see them as "eye candy".

Some of us have never been champions of social skills, but thanks to the internet and forums such as this, are learning to do better.

[cremebrulee]

I'm a people watcher, no matter where I go, but I have to be very careful, b/c I travel alone, and have a habit of starring at something, or even worse, someone, and getting lost in thought, and I've been caught at it...quit embarrassing.

It happens when I drive long distances....during stops....when I'm tired...especially.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Female: "Were you staring at my boobs?"


Me: "Nope. They were staring at me."


"SLAP!"

[Tracysherm]

The key to being a "people watcher" is to make sure they don't know you're looking at them. It seems like you never learned how to look at people without staring blatantly.

[oh-eve]

Wear sunglasses.


What you are doing is creepy and inappropriate. It is possible to stare without making people freak out.

[tijlover]

When indifferent, the eye takes still photographs; when interested, movies. By Marc Chazal

[LLCNYC]

Creepy. Stop.