Where to look when a girl is walking towards me on a street??

[Sial Axetder]

I always have a quick look at oncoming people and I do briefly scan crowds etc - it's just a habit of mine. I do often shoot women quick glances as well, especially if they're attractive. The only time I find it somewhat awkward is if we make eye contact. It's like I want to look but not get caught. Though I do find that if someone looks pleasant or smiles, then it completely takes away my bad feelings regarding the situation - then I have to remind myself to crack a quick smile in return as I hate looking sullen (which, sadly, is my default look :.

That quick smile. Always forget to do it in return. Sullen is a good word, describes well.

Where to look? Now, I always look at passing person and nod acknowledgment of existence. Don't worry about looking. Straight to eyes, nod. Even if they don't return. If they smile, don't be me.

 

[kihira]

... because in my yuppie city everyone says hi when passing each other. Every once in awhile when I'm feeling brave, I'll manage a glance and even a hello or a smile when we get close. Feels really phony though. :\

Thats odd. Does this mean people walk along constantly acknowledging each other? This happens out bushwalking and on early morning walks people want to say 'morning' now I think about it. In the bush it seems normal and ok, anywhere else it doesn't. That would be as painful as the "have a nice day" that has infected Australia

 

[Interzone]

I've been forcing myself to not look away so much and do find myself doing the 20feet acknowledgment glance and then the glance while passing by...as Mr. Social Psychology dude pointed out...

In any case, the girls rarely smile and they never say anything. So what am I supposed to do? Look like a psycho and try some stupid pick-up line or something? Yeah right, whatever, I just keep on walking.

 

[Hastings & Main]

I guess this is a universal problem for SA's.
On bad days I pretend to take interest in something in a store window, or lacking that, a blade of grass or an incredibly involving gum-wrapper on the sidewalk.
On 'good' days I'll dare making eye-contact. About half the women I pass want to make eye-contact & peripherally I notice them smile, but as most know, the brain siezes up & I get all darting-eyes again.
The women I do want to get to know, I'll look them in the eyes and look away and then smile. Which sends a much different message than smiling while holding eye-contact.

Figuring out these little human rituals that occur naturally to normal people takes up a lot of my mental-time, but I've had a lot of years to do it...

I'm trying to concentrate while walking and forcing a quick look, slight smile, and nod. Once passed, you're out of 'danger'.