Looking at People

After a conversation with my roommate, I know I’m not just being paranoid for thinking this: people are getting really bold in staring at other people on the street. I mean fully checking them out—looking people up and down, breaking their necks from turning their heads around, etc. What ever happened to the rule that people avoid eye contact in NYC? Whenever I have my eyes averted, I’ll even miss people I know.

A quick glance at your fellow pedestrian is normal (and the most interaction you’ll have with your neighbors), but staring is not tolerated. To be completely transparent though, I am being exceptionally hypocritical. As a nosy person I love staring at people. The trick here is to wear sunglasses that are dark enough so the other passersby don’t feel uncomfortable. They have no idea what I’m looking at! And this is how I know people have been staring. I can see their eyes fixated on me from the comfort of my tinted lenses.

Outside of New York City, it’s a different story. Take Madrid for example. Upon my arrival for study abroad, I was briefed that the Madrileños stare. Except they don’t do it with the same kind of malice or judgement as New Yorkers. They have the attitude of the flâneur, where they walk and look around for leisure, taking everything in while moving at snail speed. Just like me. They’re nosy. Now one last thing and then I swear to god I’ll shut up about this forever, no matter how annoyed I am that people stare at me, I’d be more shocked if they didn’t.