Most everyone says that they like to people watch.

It's impolite to stare.

Ogling is just creepy. I learned in my 20s to pick
a point on the forehead and concentrate (like she wore
that blouse so I would notice her shoes).

Don't need to do the forehead trick anymore. Don't get
me wrong, still a big fan...just age and impulse control
I guess.

Sometimes (say at a restaurant) when someone walks, you'll
look. If they are attractive your significant other might
say, Geez...stare a little longer.

YOU WERE JUST LOOKING!

watching, looking, noticing, staring, ogling, gazing,
rubbernecking, gawking, glowering


Is there some kind of rule, time limit, and variable depending on who you are with?

Is there a fine line between people watching and acting like a total-------------> ?

no matter how you look at it,you cant win...........

If you salivate, lick your lips or touch any body part of your own below the neck, it's an arrestible offence in my books.

Yeea....I guess we're not supposed to look at "it".

That's the WindnSea Beach mating dance.

One time I was out with a guy and he totally checked out another woman so I said rather loudly...WOW SHE IS HOTTT !!AND DAMNNN LOOK AT THE GUY SHE"S WITH I WOULD SO DOOOO HIM!!!

needless to say that one & only date with him ended rather fast.

When I get bored I stare out the window, sometimes people walk by and I say hi to them and just keep on looking out.

So yeah the rule of thumb is....
Be careful watching , extra careful when your with someone,extra extra careful with "how" your watching , careful with the explanation when you get caught,or just wear your sunglasses...

LMAO. Anything guys can do we can do better (well not ANYTHING )

I like to think of it as giving back to the community. You go girl.

If I am on a date or with my significant other, I try not to look at anyone. I want to make my date as comfortable as possible.

Ok then.

If you're single...

What's an appropriate look or just friendly acknowledgment?

What's a clear but respectful "I'm interested" flirt
without saying, "Hi, I'm a stalker"?

glance with a big flirty smile !

A glance might suffice.

I remember (ehem around 10 years and pounds ago) being stared down for a complete 180 degrees with "doome eyes" occasionally while strolling on the boardwalk.

I kind of liked it!.....but I think if I were to do the same, it would evoke fear instead of flattery.

Excellent question! As a people watcher myself, I tend to just look at a person, then glance away. It is rude to stare and I've had people stare at me, rudely, to the point where I wanted to make a face so bad that they would know not to stare at me again, or anyone else.

You still got it , go out and try it !

Even if I think a man is attractive, the shy side of me just won't ever let me say more than hi...if he says hi first. Not sure that can be overcome. Plus, it would be horrible to accidentally try and flirt with someone who was attached!! Yikes!

Hmmmm, not sure about that. There seems to be a double standard, or difference of perception.

Most guys are (I think) are flattered.
Most women....annoyed or scared.

I hear ya there...I have this eyecatching relationship with this guy for about 2 yrs now and all we ever say is hi & hows the weather? (and stupid cr*p like that) I can't get up the nerve to even say are you single?! But, he just keeps giving me them eyes & that smile!