Social Impoliteness

July 5, 2007 | Filed under Politics, Uni/Work

Today, a woman walks into the store. (Erm…like they do every day I guess.)

Putting on my oh-so-sincere, I’m-about-to-give-you-the-best-maternity-shopping-experience-of-your-life shopgirl smile, I do my patented spiel: “Hi, how are you going today?” Pause for reply. “Just so you know, we have a special today on breastfeeding tops. If you buy two, you get the second at half price.” Pause for reply. “Can I help you find anything in particular, or are you happy just browsing?”

She’s looking at plain black pants for work. I’m looking at the dark purple birthmark that covers half her face and neck. I know it’s rude to stare, and to my credit, I did do a fairly admirable job of not making it too obvious.

Is it just me? Or is it simply human nature to stare at the unfamiliar? Is it the car wreck syndrome, where people slow down as they pass a car accident in hope of seeing some human bodies amongst the wreckage? Is human curiosity wrong? Socially impolite?

When is it okay to stare, and when isn’t it? There’s such a fine line to be drawn.

5 Responses to Social Impoliteness

  1. It’s called Train Wreck Syndrome on the internets, Manda. Get it right. :P

    Jordie on July 5, 2007 #

  2. I don’t want to stare but at the same time I feel it would be equally as rude to look away. I really have no idea what is socially acceptable. :P

    Amber on July 5, 2007 #

  3. Yeah what Amber said, if you look away and it looks obvious that you are too scared to look in case they accuse you of staring, they may get offended.

    Bobbi-lee on July 5, 2007 #

  4. OMG. I was just thinking about blogging about how it’s natural for people to slow down and stare at the other side of the road when there is a traffic jam caused by an accident. Great minds think alike, eh?! Lol.

    It’s human nature I guess, to be curious and to stare at something that’s unfamiliar. I try not to make it too obvious, but yeah I do it too. ;)

    Susie on July 5, 2007 #

  5. It’s really hard to resist the urge to just stare at “abnormalities” but I don’t do it, because I know how it feels to be the one being stared at.

    But really, it’s not as hard as resisting the urge to grab for that second or third cookie.

    Rafia on July 6, 2007 #

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