The Great Stare Debate

Abstract · (#1 (**permalink**))

Are you a Starer?

Or do you not feel the need to constantly battle with random strangers in staring matches.

Why is it when some of us cross paths, we feel the need to stare at eachother like adversaries in some gladiatorial "looks can kill" contest in the street.

Why is it that when you're pushin a half decent car, mans will stare at you like you just done them something real bad?

If you're a starer, gives us an insight into the reasons why you stare at other africans.

When I look at brothers, I try to do it with the aim of extending a knowing nod at least. But some people just stare at you like they in some sort trance. Why is this?

Do africans have big egos? Is that a stupid question? Why do we stare?

Omoshango · (#2 (**permalink**))

U know, now that u mention it...

A Puerto Rican friend asked me that once.

"Why do Black people do that?" he asked me as we were walking up Rockaway Boulevard, (South Ozone Park, Queens) just after another brotha walked past us in the other direction.

"Do what?"

"Stare at each other like they're mad or something. Like that brotha just did to u."

I hadn't noticed that the guy had been staring hard at me. And I didn't know what the hell to say to my friend.

I was reading a book about Tupac by a childhood friend of his, and he said that the sight of Pac always seemed to provoke some weird reactions from people, even before he became a "thug."

That some just seemed to hate him on sight, for no reason, even when he was trying to be friendly to them. That they either loved himor hated him, no neutrality or indifference, just extreme reactions.

I can identify with that. (And if more people knew that, they might understand Tupac a little better)

I used to get into a lot of altercations over the hostile stares, when I was younger.

Now I mostly ignore them, (or grab my crotch, which almost always makes them avert their gaze, though some homos seem to like that) but u can't always, if it's right up in ur face. U have to stare right back. I don't get into any altercations over it now, but I don't back down either.

What about u?

Abstract · (#3 (**permalink**))

Omoshango wrote:

Quote:

U know, now that u mention it...

A Puerto Rican friend asked me that once.

"Why do Black people do that?" he asked me as we were walking up Rockaway Boulevard, (South Ozone Park, Queens) just after another brotha walked past us in the other direction.

"Do what?"

"Stare at each other like they're mad or something. Like that brotha just did to u."

I hadn't noticed that the guy had been staring hard at me. And I didn't know what the hell to say to my friend.

I was reading a book about Tupac by a childhood friend of his, and he said that the sight of Pac always seemed to provoke some weird reactions from people, even before he became a "thug."

That some just seemed to hate him on sight, for no reason, even when he was trying to be friendly to them. That they either loved himor hated him, no neutrality or indifference, just extreme reactions.

I can identify with that. (And if more people knew that, they might understand Tupac a little better)

I used to get into a lot of altercations over the hostile stares, when I was younger.

Now I mostly ignore them, (or grab my crotch, which almost always makes them avert their gaze, though some homos seem to like that) but u can't always, if it's right up in ur face. U have to stare right back. I don't get into any altercations over it now, but I don't back down either.

What about u?
----

I got to a mixed uni and I have noticed that when I walk past white people, I get no stares, we just walk on by.

But when I walk past an african male almost always its a case of staring at each other till we walk past. Sometimes I try to nod or something but mostly I just get blank, dull, souless stares. Whats that all about?

CashMoney · (#4 (**permalink**))

@ stickup kid

Your last post is gonna take this thread into territory that it doesnt realy need to go into

Abstract · (#5 (**permalink**))

@ cashmoney

How?

What direction?

Peacemaker · (#6 (**permalink**))

stick-upKid wrote:

Quote:

@ cashmoney

How?

What direction?

The white verses black direction.

Quote:

I get stared at by all races, personally. But with my looks I'm not surprised, no seriously.

yogi · (#7 (**permalink**))

I get stared at everyday and I hate it.I must say it'sequally between men and women but with the women it is worse.

As soon as you get on the bus they stare at your shoes, hair, jacket and everything.I can still feel them staring when I am not looking directly at them. When I decide not to dress up on a particular daythis does not happen but as soon as I decide to dress up the stares come my way.

People need to stop this it is just plain rude.

Abstract · (#8 (**permalink**))

yogi wrote:

Quote:

I get stared at everyday and I hate it.I must say it'sequally between men and women but with the women it is worse.

As soon as you get on the bus they stare at your shoes, hair, jacket and everything.I can still feel them staring when I am not looking directly at them. When I decide not to dress up on a particular daythis does not happen but as soon as I decide to dress up the stares come my way.

People need to stop this it is just plain rude.

---
Its good to see new arrivals like yourself workin your voices and not being afraid to comment.

Good to see. niceone.gif

Hopefully more new peeps will comment, without the thread veering into some stupid direction.

MsPnutt · (#9 (**permalink**))

i get stared at a lot aswell...but i dont blame em..i'm just fabulous like that. its not just black folk, white ppl do it to me the most.

what do i do about it? i just wink and smile. why shouldnt they stare, i was blessed with good genes and gr8 fashion sense. i smile at them to acknowledge their appreciation of my fabulousness.

it aint that serious...sumtimes i offer them sweets. i love messing with ppls heads by being REALLY nice when they r just being ig'nant. i might try the grabbing crotch thing Omoshango does..except i got nothin to grab down there confused3

its fun...

Lucas... · (#10 (**permalink**))

@
pnutt
....
you're a modest...... one arent ..you

MsPnutt · (#11 (**permalink**))

Lucas i'm not a fan of false modesty...too pretensious (sp) for my liking. i guess i got that from my Papa.

i'm not cocky, i'm just content. like Simon Cowell says..." i have the likability factor" LOL!

u may not know it yet, but u think i reek of awesomeness! LOL!

Ingonyama - he is a lion! · (#12 (**permalink**))

Staring is used by people who are insecure about dem selves and used mostly by young guys who are trying to establish there manhood , apparently it go back to when we fought for land and mating partners and would stare at an opponent hoping they would run before a fight, I was told this by a teacher in sociology a couple of years ago, sound reasonable to me bro!! as you see it most in young kids and hardley ever in adults.

Fizzy B · (#13 (**permalink**))

Maybe it's me but Iv'e noticed old people stare too much. I always think did their Mothers not teach them, its rude to stare.

blkfingerwag