Whenever I travel to work on the Underground I feel uncomfortable looking at people. To get around this I try to find a poster or unoccupied space to stare at. I notice other passengers doing the same thing. I also feel uncomfortable when someone stares at me. Does anyone know what the reason for this is?
2006-12-06 00:26:04 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
We do this in an unspoken agreement that has to do with personal space. When we're crowded together on a train, or in a similar space such as an elevator, we avoid making eye contact; it's a signal that say, "I apologize for intruding into your personal space, but I have no other option; therefore, I will pretend you don't exist, and you will pretend I don't exist, and we will get along and refrain from fighting over territory." After all - think about what would happen if you stood that close to a stranger on an otherwise-empty train - they'd very likely challenge you in very short order with a rather surly question like, "What's your problem, buddy?"
2006-12-06 00:46:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The newspaper is a perfect remedy for this. People don't like to be stared at and these days even looking at someone briefly or making eye contact with them can make them think you are staring. Personally I don't think there is anything wrong with looking around at people as long as your gaze doesn't linger, but I have to admit I do the same thing as you because I don't want to set someone off.
2006-12-06 02:13:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
When I visited England I was told it was some kind of unspoken code to not look at anybody on the train. But I'm shy anyway so if strangers did stare at me I'd end up yelling at them to stop.
2006-12-06 03:26:44 · answer #3 · answered by missgigglebunny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People want to maintain an invisible barrier- to protect their personal space. How about carrying a paperback book or magazine on the train, and you can focus your attention on that, rather than searching for posters to gaze at.
2006-12-06 02:05:17 · answer #4 · answered by GEEGEE 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. i became into taught that the eyes are the residing house windows to the soul. you may get a sense of the form of individual you're coping with with the aid of looking them interior the eyes. every time I communicate to all people i seem them at as quickly as interior the eyes. consistent with danger that's some thing approximately you that makes him seem at you. i would not turn faraway from his gaze.
2016-10-04 23:00:06 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think everyone does that. It's just a natural thing that people do. They don't want to be caught "staring", or they don't like meeting other people's eyes.
2006-12-06 00:35:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
They don't stare at you because they don't want to be stared at. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
2006-12-06 01:57:16 · answer #7 · answered by GLSigma3 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
we are the same i feel the same way ,...i dont like staring at pple and dont like being stared at.
2006-12-06 03:24:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
such small space, i think i would be too
2006-12-06 08:38:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your shy.
2006-12-06 01:57:04 · answer #10 · answered by JAN 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋