Job Discussion Forums

[thehairyhorse]

Does anyone actually like being constantly stared at?
I have to admit that it's probably my biggest grievance and just force myself to put up with it - I get it everywhere (I must look like a weirdo I suppose)
Any good tips on dealing with this? (maybe wear a balaclava?)

[moonraven]

Hay varias opciones:

1. Decirle(s): "Es mala educaci�n mirar as� a la gente."

2. Preguntarle(s): "�C�mo me veo?" (O �C�mo me ves?")

3. Preguntarle(s): "�Me conoce?"

4. No hagas caso a esas pendejadas.

[juststeven]

Muy bien dicho, Moonraven.
Horseman, if you have a problem being stared at, don't go to the Middle East! The 'sub-continentals' and Pakistanies are world-class champions at this. You can't escape them; they are everywhere, any time of day or night. They also have an annoying habit of invading your space by walking very close and bumping into you.

[denise]

It annoys me, too. It's not so bad where I am now, but it drove me absolutely batty when I was in China. I just stare back. Probably not the most mature way of dealing with it, but oh well.

d

[Glenski]

Looks to me like we have people being stared at in Chile, China, and the Middle East. I'll add Japan to the list.

Don't like it? Well, you could have checked up on what local life is like for a foreigner before you even came here and been somewhat prepared for the staring.

Of course, that doesn't help people who don't check up. So, if you are stared at on subways, buses or trains or on the street, read a book or flash a camera at people. If you are stared at in restaurants, get a table facing the wall, do a crossword puzzle, read a book, etc.

Learning the language won't stop them from staring, but it will give you a chance to learn what they may be whispering about you and a chance to respond if you don't like it. Otherwise, get used to it and if you haven't learned enough of the language, enjoy the blissful incoherent mumblings at the next table.

I met a young Canadian woman with strawberry red hair, freckles, and bright blue eyes here in Japan. She'd been working a year here at that time, and she had NOT adapted to the staring at all. We rode the train once, and she stopped speaking to me in mid-sentence. Her eyes glared at someone over my shoulder, and her smile changed to a scowl. I guessed she was staring down someone who was looking at her obvious physical differences. She was NOT taking the woman's stares lightly and was letting the whole thing get to her. She had already planned to go home (to Canada) in the next week, so I didn't bother trying to tell her all of the above advice. Let things like that get to you (especially without understanding the obvious), and you will be miserable.

[denise]

[thehairyhorse]

well said Denise
The staring in Chile's not that bad but I�m in a small farming town and it`s a kind of disapproving stare (or at least seems like it) -
It's not a stare with a smile like Thailand or even Argentina -

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I haven't been to a foreign country where I wasn't stared at, whether quizzically or otherwise. I like to tell myself they stare because of my astonishing good looks.