presence in public

[wrayth]

So I have been wondering about this for a long time. I could be a block away from someone, too far away to make any noise.
and the person would straight away turn around and stare at me for a second then turn back around and go on their way.
Wondering why this would happen? what could explain this?

my grandfather had the same presence issues, when he was in a room, people would randomly stare at him when he entered, even if he was completely silent.

I was also wondering if anyone here had this issue as well.

[quintessentone]

So I have been wondering about this for a long time. I could be a block away from someone, too far away to make any noise.
and the person would straight away turn around and stare at me for a second then turn back around and go on their way.
Wondering why this would happen? what could explain this?

my grandfather had the same presence issues, when he was in a room, people would randomly stare at him when he entered, even if he was completely silent.

I was also wondering if anyone here had this issue as well.

It could be that people on the street are applying situational awareness for their safety.

I've noticed that tall and big people stand out in public and it may be a natural, or a primitive survival/social mechanism, that we pay attention to those who are bigger/taller/stronger than us. 

As one young, very tall and big (muscular) male family member told me once, often when he went into bars the shortest drunkest guy would try to pick a fight with him.

Or if you are looking at them, perhaps they feel the 'eyes in the back of the head' sensation and then look around (?)

[wrayth]

It sometimes happens (as you have said) If I'm looking at someone that is in front of me. I also sometimes have people tell me I look familiar and ask me if i know them.

I am 6"2 and 325 lbs, and my grandfather was 6"4 but he was skinny.

[quintessentone]

It sometimes happens (as you have said) If I'm looking at someone that is in front of me. I also sometimes have people tell me I look familiar and ask me if i know them.

I am 6"2 and 325 lbs, and my grandfather was 6"4 but he was skinny.

I get that too...but I am not tall. People staring at me as if they are wondering if they know me - some do come up and speak to me - usually they start off with 'nice hat'. People just come up to me randomly and start talking to me...maybe because I wear stylish hats is what is attracting attention to me? But maybe I invite the interaction because I am always looking around - situational awareness - and actually look at people - sometimes our eyes meet - sometimes we exchange smiles (usually elderly people my age). It's tricky when looking at children - they seem very wary of strangers. Maybe people are looking for the humanity in people?

[ReturnofBroccoli]

I get that too...but I am not tall. People staring at me as if they are wondering if they know me - some do come up and speak to me - usually they start off with 'nice hat'. People just come up to me randomly and start talking to me...maybe because I wear stylish hats is what is attracting attention to me? But maybe I invite the interaction because I am always looking around - situational awareness - and actually look at people - sometimes our eyes meet - sometimes we exchange smiles (usually elderly people my age). It's tricky when looking at children - they seem very wary of strangers. Maybe people are looking for the humanity in people?

What kind of hats :) steam punk hats with aviator goggles and clocks or what? Thats my favorite kind. On a nice leather top hat.

[SomeStupidName]

They may not actually be looking at you all. I have had people walk up to me several times asking why I was eyeballing them from across a room and then I would point to the tv that i was actually looking at they would laugh and say sorry and walk away. You could just be standing under something more interesting.

[SomeStupidName]

I get that too...but I am not tall. People staring at me as if they are wondering if they know me - some do come up and speak to me - usually they start off with 'nice hat'. People just come up to me randomly and start talking to me...maybe because I wear stylish hats is what is attracting attention to me? But maybe I invite the interaction because I am always looking around - situational awareness - and actually look at people - sometimes our eyes meet - sometimes we exchange smiles (usually elderly people my age). It's tricky when looking at children - they seem very wary of strangers. Maybe people are looking for the humanity in people?

Stylish hats... So you're peacocking, of course people are going to look. It is the universal sign of hey look at me, now come over here and lets chat about something fun.

[worldstarcountry]

I have phenomenal peripheral vision. It works pretty damn good to  my own surprise. I do  it all the time what you are describing. I just suddenly turn around and someone just popped out of a door, or their vehicle, or walking towards me. It does happen when I am not even looking in that direction at all, but most often I just see the slightest movement and turn. At night it works even better for some reason dark shapes contrast really good for me at night, especially smaller shapes. The damndest thing.

I am constantly turning to see something at night that gets my attention from out the corners of my eye. There was a time I thought I was being more exposed to shadow people lol. But it just seems like highly sensitive peripheral vision with great contrast sensitivity as well. I don't know how that translates into actual science of the brain, but I just notice darker shapes at night better for some reason.

There is the occasional intuitive turn around though, which is fairly common for me. For me, that type of noticing usually accompanies a stray thought. Like a thought pops into my head that normally would not be there, and then I look around and notice someone. Then I think, is this their stray thought??

[quintessentone]

What kind of hats :) steam punk hats with aviator goggles and clocks or what? Thats my favorite kind. On a nice leather top hat.

Beret, slouch...styles that cover my ears for warmth and won't be blown off by strong winds in colder weather. Summer will bring in hats that will block the sun, but probably my safari style hat while I am out doing stuff in the jungle. lol Steampunk style hats aren't my thing, unless I put my sunglasses on the safari hat, that may come close (?)

[quintessentone]

They may not actually be looking at you all. I have had people walk up to me several times asking why I was eyeballing them from across a room and then I would point to the tv that i was actually looking at they would laugh and say sorry and walk away. You could just be standing under something more interesting.

I think your eyes may have wandered and they actually did catch you looking at them. Am I wrong? lol