Uncomfortable when it seems people are staring at you?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the discomfort and psychological effects of feeling stared at by others in various social situations. Participants share personal anecdotes and explore the reasons behind these feelings, touching on themes of perception, social interaction, and instinctive reactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants describe personal experiences of feeling uncomfortable when they believe others are staring at them, often leading to a heightened sense of awareness or anxiety.
  • One participant suggests that the feeling of being stared at may stem from an unconscious detection of others' focus, questioning the mechanisms behind this sensation.
  • Another participant recounts a specific incident in a lecture hall where they felt intensely stared at, emphasizing the creepiness of such encounters.
  • A humorous observation is made about a library rule against staring at librarians, leading to a discussion on the universal discomfort associated with being stared at.
  • Some participants express indifference to being stared at, suggesting that it does not bother them unless it is perceived as intentional rudeness.
  • There is mention of a study indicating that when individuals feel someone is staring at them, it is often the case that someone actually is.
  • One participant shares a particularly unsettling experience at an airport involving a woman who appeared to be staring and talking to them simultaneously, highlighting the confusion and discomfort that can arise from such situations.
  • Another participant humorously misinterprets a phrase about "flashing IQ," leading to a light-hearted exchange about the nature of social interactions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features a mix of agreement and disagreement among participants regarding the nature of discomfort when being stared at. While some share similar feelings of unease, others express a lack of concern, indicating that multiple competing views remain on this topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences vary widely, with some emphasizing instinctual reactions while others focus on social dynamics. The discussion does not resolve the underlying psychological mechanisms or social implications of being stared at.

  • #31
Math Is Hard said:
because this is the librarian:

EE130C.350X200.G.jpg


now stop staring. :biggrin:


Looks like she's the one who's staring!

I'd flash her the 'Okay' sign but she might think it's my IQ.

What I'm really thinking is, She can read me a bedtime story anytime :!)
 
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  • #32
turbo-1 said:
Back in HS in the '60s, that hand-signal would prompt "Is that your age, your IQ, or the number of friends you had before your dog died?" Maybe it's a regional thing... :rolleyes:

Yeah, it is based on something very similar to that. I thought is was pretty common.. put then I don't get out much
:cry:

Regional? maybe, but it has to be a region which includes Oregon and Maine...
 
  • #33
Yea I was going to say that in the time that it takes you to turn around, the people can likely shift their eyes and 'stare' at you. This sometimes happens to me on the bus or something, I will be minding my own business and all of a sudden someone will turn around and I look in puzzlement as to why the turned around. A second later I go back into my own world but it probably looks as if I was staring at them. Try it sometime, turn around in a random crowd of people and I bet people are looking at you.
 
  • #34
Integral said:
Regional? maybe, but it has to be a region which includes Oregon and Maine...

That woud be...Portland?
 
  • #35
Math Is Hard said:
because this is the librarian:

EE130C.350X200.G.jpg


now stop staring. :biggrin:

Where did you get that picture?! Please tell you didn't!

It's from...

http://www.xxxhotblondsinskirtsasasecrataryxxx.com/xxxpicture/001.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #36
I googled "PF sisterhood wanna-bes".
(Notice she can't fill out the size 8s.)
:biggrin:
 
  • #37
JasonRox said:
It's from...

http://www.xxxhotblondsinskirtsasasecrataryxxx.com/xxxpicture/001.html
Link doesn't work.

Math Is Hard said:
(Notice she can't fill out the size 8s.)
:biggrin:
:confused:
In my part of Europe she fills out the size 6 comfortably :biggrin:
Are we talking of the size for the same thing(s)?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #38
Chi Meson said:
That woud be...Portland?
You let the cat out of the bag. I would tell you where the wormhole is, but I'd lose my wormhole privileges if they found out. :biggrin:

I had to travel quite a bit as a technical consultant and after having a large Halliburton case full of camera gear get flown to Portland OR, while I went to Portland ME, I made extra sure to double check the destination tags before they were put on the conveyor.
 
  • #39
turbo-1 said:
blah blah blah Halliburton blah blah blah blah

You worked for Stan?:eek:
 

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