The male gaze: welcome or annoying?

[SlowHandQuickMind]

All the straight guys I know (and many of the ladies) like to look at beautiful women. Most of us learned how to do that tactfully in high school. We know how to steal a glance or even look and fantasize without leering. And no decent person wants a woman to feel threatened or objectified.

But the boundaries are not entirely clear because everyone is different. My ex used to say "I'm going to be upset when they STOP looking." And I've had women respond with a warm and knowing smile when they catch me giving an admiring glance. So what do you say ladies? Do you like it when guys (or gals) check you out?

I'm a newbie here so please be kind if I do something stupid.

 

[ericalauren]

I'm not a woman but I'll answer anyway. I hate it when men stare at me. It was even worse when I was a kiddo.

 

[Mugwump6636]

I dont mind men looking at me. If I find them attractive, I make it a point to look right at their eyes and smile to see how they react. Most of them turn their head when I make eye contact.

 

[Dearelliot]

I try very hard not to...I'm very old and I understand they would rather I don't...so I oblige.

 

[RawSilhouette]

I don’t mind at all when men look at me. It makes me feel appreciated, seen. Like I’m worth looking at. The part I do mind is when they follow if I walk away, that’s the scary part. Like look, but you don’t need to follow. It makes my day when men tell me I’m pretty or that I smell nice. Doesn’t happen often, but has happened more than once in my life where a man has stopped to tell me my eyes are beautiful, or my hair is lovely. I was stopped at a stop light once and I heard two men who were walking on the street say “damn, that chick has some fine, big-ass titties” which was crude, yes, but made me laugh and smile. I’m sure they didn’t know I had my window down slightly and heard their comment. I’m also pretty sure not all woman would find that comment flattering, but I did.

 

[Live4themoments]

I like most guys try to be discrete in looking. Every now and then though she would catch me looking and we make eye contact. I just smile and nod my head, and majority of the times she would follow up with a smile. Not sure if that is a reflex response, or her way of letting me know it's OK to appreciate the work she had done to look her best, or giving her reassurance she can still be admired. Females are a work of beauty nevertheless.

 

[Maximsdarling]

Im kind of a shy person who has gotten a lot of attention,not so subtle, from men because of my chest. This started in 5th grade. I want to be flattered that anyone finds me or anything about me attractive, but Im kind of in the state of mind where Im exhausted with the stares and being reduced to my body.

People feel way too freely, in my opinion, on giving their thoughts on my body. Like Im just existing. The amount of men who stare or give their opinion, anywhere from "their too big" ,to "it would be an honor to drown in your cleavage" without knowing me is astounding. Men esp being creepy ( altho I have had ladies say weird shit like are they real and can I feel them ) has ruined a lot for me. Like id never think to stop a dude, stare at his crotch and say looks too tiny or too big.

So I guess what im saying is I hate it at this point. The only compliments that i like or mean anything to me are from people I know. That is what happens when people overtly sexualize you from middle school. Id mostly like to be left alone.

Other women with different experiences of course feel differently. I also am not, for the record saying i think myself or my breasts or anything special. I am not. It just annoys the hell out of me when men claim all women love the attention. Some of us dont with good reason. Sure you are going to look at people. But staring feels a bit much and pretty juvenile (again in my humble opinion).

 

[mustang_driver]

I dont mind men looking at me. If I find them attractive, I make it a point to look right at their eyes and smile to see how they react. Most of them turn their head when I make eye contact.

I've been known to do that at times, its almost an embarrassed response. Other times, I have no problem returning the smile.

 

[Cultivateddesires]

I don’t mind at all when men look at me. It makes me feel appreciated, seen. Like I’m worth looking at. The part I do mind is when they follow if I walk away, that’s the scary part. Like look, but you don’t need to follow. It makes my day when men tell me I’m pretty or that I smell nice. Doesn’t happen often, but has happened more than once in my life where a man has stopped to tell me my eyes are beautiful, or my hair is lovely. I was stopped at a stop light once and I heard two men who were walking on the street say “damn, that chick has some fine, big-ass titties” which was crude, yes, but made me laugh and smile. I’m sure they didn’t know I had my window down slightly and heard their comment. I’m also pretty sure not all woman would find that comment flattering, but I did.

Eagerly searching for your pictures…

 

[jassybb]

I don't mind, just don't make it feel creepy

 

[RawSilhouette]

Eagerly searching for your pictures…

Haha, you're cute.