It can be embarrassing to be stared at. Usually it is uncomfortable, because it feels threatening and something is wrong. Depending on who does the staring at you and from where the looking at comes, do we notice? Yes. But what are the things we notice and why? Mostly surface plays an important role for humans. We think with our eyes, which is rather problematic. To dig deeper and not jump to hasty conclusions is more than advised.

I do not look at people when I walk. Why would I when a look has so many meanings it is intolerable and an infuriating difficult dilemma to solve by any other way than with refusal to look like having blinds, keeping it to myself, showing no interest at all. To smile at people is an invitation and possibility is there to be hurt. To look at people in my case has a serious meaning, danger, or to look at anything for a long period of time is just seen weird. Would sunglasses solve this problem? Why would anybody just stare? What is the point other than there is nothing better to do? It is perhaps sign of idleness, craziness, unbalance, problematical that is somehow negative,  not open, unspoken but loud still a very open wide gesture and message, animal-like and stupid. Don’t animals stare before they attack? What does it say to a woman or to a girl when she is stared at on a street, in a cafe or bar: someone wants something of you or your clothes are strange, your hair is odd, you are out of the ordinary. Terrible are looks out from tables outside of a bar as are the noisy comments.

When I look intensely at someone or something I am interested in that person, thing or object I pay attention to, but how am I interested in the one I’m looking at? Do I want something? Yes, I think what kind of drawing would I make, a photograph or what is the context of something being in that particular place etc. What does a woman want when she takes a long gaze? Gaze is to me a sexual word. Gazes are not similar. There are so many ways to gaze and as many reasons. They mark desire firstly. People who are always wanting something. It is something funny as it is repetitious, disturbing, uncomfortable, rude and invasion of privacy, invasion of space and cause for anger. Some looks one can feel on one’s back send emotions and thoughts. Attention that can be sensed on one’s skin or one is so used to being looked at that stares are everywhere they begin to scare and make the world view rather peculiar.

But still we need to be looked at in a certain way, noticed, given compliments and greeted. With kind and civil interest and respect for the person. Some people enjoy the harassment kind of look, some find it horrible intrusion of ripping clothes off with the help of one’s stare. Muslims have solved the problem of being looked at with desire by veiling and hiding behind screens. Problem solved? What we cannot see, we can start guessing. Lustful gazes which cannot be self-regulated because those who stare do what they are supposed to do. This is the logic, I gather. There is not much prohibition for those who have eye for female beauty and will to take what they want. It is a question of honor of the woman and her family, her husband, honor of man as woman is to be looked at by her husband only. Muslim women are not allowed to look at other people while walking outside. It would not be good manners. http://productivemuslim.com/6-tips-to-help-lower-your-gaze/ They look to the ground or their eyes are completely covered by a burka minding their business. This is what I have myself learned to do as well. It is to protect my privacy and what I want is a secret. My look is under evaluation, my eye, meaningful, and it is mostly in negative way with meaning how a woman eyes on others. Linking to wanting something, lacking and being weak. http://www.islam-laws.com/articles/gaze.htm “except you, I have never seen a man lower his gaze in front of a woman. In my life you are the first person who lowers his gaze when seeing a woman. I come, and you close your eyes.” Modesty a true virtue.

What does it mean when an artist looks at something as I do all the time see the roads, sides of roads, backyards etc? Can it by the way be told that one is an artist by appearance? I am looking at and looking for, looking and looking. Are you looking for the same reasons as I? Something is there to be found, all things are to be looked at and wondered. Why is there still the feminine weakness in the assumptions on why I look at, look back, do not look, turn my head away? Puzzle of a look. Female stereotypical characteristics are to be envious, hateful, bitter, suspicious and scared. Woman is here to be wanted, changed and be taken, taught, kept in leash, told not to but she wants it because she is weak, looking for someone to hold on to and step over or to be stepped over as she is dangerous in her negative emotions, she might? When women are seen in such negative light, stereotypical and one-sided, which is like a stain on a gender, how on earth such stigma got made? Do you think it’s true?