Staring .. malicious or even curious..

[JiNN_kAi]

The topic says most of it -- this question occured to me just recently. As you may or may not know, I've been dreaming of a LEO career and have been slowwwly migrating my behavior to be more fitting.

Background aside, the thing I was wondering: I saw a LEO today walk into the dining hall at my school, and nearly half of the room turned to watch the officer. Even in line at Chipotle, standing behind two motorcycle officers, I could feel the eyes. How do you deal with the eyes constantly staring? I know a lot of people look with malevolence and yet others just want to see the shiny boots and gun. Does it make you feel good, like the center of attention? I'd think, considering my school experiences, that it would make me nervous.. but thats just me. Does it make you on-guard? The public eye can surely be harsh...

This question is obviously directed to uniformed officers or those readily apparently to the general public as LEOs..

Thanks,
JiNN_kAi

[JD45]

My first day on FTO and my first day in uniform I noticed that which you describe. I think a few of the stares where in disgust or displeasement, but the others were more of an infatuation for a lack of better words.

I think people are curious more or less. Especially when you walk in somewhere to eat, they want to see why you're there. Is it to arrest someone or to dine. Once you sit down to eat people pretty much mind their own business.

What really makes my day are the kids. They're so innocent and so curious. They'll just stare all day withougt blinking. You wave to them and their eyes get huge and you usually get a HUGE smile in return. I usually carry 'junior police' stickers to give to kids. Makes my day to make them smile..

[Lfpdlieu302]

The topic says most of it -- this question occured to me just recently. As you may or may not know, I've been dreaming of a LEO career and have been slowwwly migrating my behavior to be more fitting.

Background aside, the thing I was wondering: I saw a LEO today walk into the dining hall at my school, and nearly half of the room turned to watch the officer. Even in line at Chipotle, standing behind two motorcycle officers, I could feel the eyes. How do you deal with the eyes constantly staring? I know a lot of people look with malevolence and yet others just want to see the shiny boots and gun. Does it make you feel good, like the center of attention? I'd think, considering my school experiences, that it would make me nervous.. but thats just me. Does it make you on-guard? The public eye can surely be harsh...

This question is obviously directed to uniformed officers or those readily apparently to the general public as LEOs..

Thanks,
JiNN_kAi

i actually have a serious problem dealing with this issue. you see, i've got this thing about people staring at me. i take it as a challegne. even when it's not. off duty (and on i'm afraid :( ) i tend to make comments that i'm sure make me look like an ***. i'll ask my wife if i've got something hanging off my nose, or if its look like a dumbass day. i know i'm wrong for doing that, but i just cant help it. i've gotten better on duty. you can kinda tell sometimes if the look is of disgust or approval. i normally leave things alone until i see a laugh with their buddies or a smirk. i then normally just walk straight up to them and say hi. it takes them off guard. again, i know that i'm wrong for this attitude, but i'm human.

[scott715us]

I think the main reason being rubbernecking. People figure someone is about to be arrested or something is going on and they want to get in on it. Natural curiosity for the most part. Then you have those that want to come up and buddy up to you and ask if you know "so and so." Others may just look in disgust because they got out of jail that morning or you put their brother away the night before. I've gotten used to it. I still watch my back, but the stares are something I can't control.

[Johninaustin]

I have a funny story about this.

Working the mid shift, trying to find a place for dinner. The four of us come across this little Vietnamese noodle place and go inside.

Keep in mind, this is 1230 in the morning. The place is PACKED! People standing against the walls. Conversation completely stops. Even the waitresses stop and stare at us. This goes on for almost a minute and is getting really creepy, when the manager comes out of the back and asks us what we want.

When we tell him we want a table he relaxes and says "OH! You want to EAT!" and he shuffles us off to a little table at the very back. We're the only non-Vietnamese in the place.

We place our order. People are still watching, but at least the waitresses are back in action and there is conversation.

Then the lights go out and a rotating mirror ball descends from the ceiling.

We arrived just in time for Vietnamese Karoke night. :D

You have not lived until you have heard Patsy Kline sung in a Vietnamese accent. :eek:

[SeVere]

Sometimes I just stop what I am doing and stare back i.e. in mid-bite of a eating a sandwich. Sometimes, I just say, "Are you Ok? You sure? I just wanted to make sure you were feeling ok."

[Babysmamadrama]

People just equate the police with T-R-O-U-B-L-E. It's amazing how many times I will walk into a place and it gets quiet. Or if I sneak in unnoticed its so funny to see how high people jump when my portable squawks.

Don't let it get to you. I have a look around the place when I walk in anyway and meet any stares that I deem need to file away for further reference. You can read people a lot by their eyes and facial expression. Give them a nod, or cursory hello. I am not afraid to talk with someone who is really eye-screwing me, though. You just ask them if they needed to speak to a police officer, they will say "No" and then you just politely say "It's ok, some people are afraid to talk with the police." They will start stammering and whatnot. You then go order your liter of cola.

Mind you the people that do this, are turds. Not good, upstanding law-abiding folks.