cyberdora wrote:
there's a fine art between paying attention and showing interest. Somewhere there's a point where the eye contact translates to sexual interest. Actually eye contact is something here in Australia is an indicator you might engage with the person (male or female or other). People here register your eye contact crosses a certain length of time then they either
a) look away quickly - (the speed they turn their head = the amount of disinterest/disdain they have with you)
b) keep staring and smile then i) make small talk or ii) smile and walk away
c) keep staring and challenge you (hey buddy! what are you staring at). Level of escalation = amount of perceived provocation.
One thing that makes me think I am neurodivergent is I have always been reluctant to make prolonged eye contact. Probably why I bombed out with the girlies.
That was interesting, thank you. It makes sense, and eye contact rules are probably similar here. Which means every time I'm uncomfortable with eye contact and I quickly look away, it might translate to the person as disinterest/disdain. But then... I don't necessarily want to show sexual interest. It's tricky.
There's only a couple of times in my life that a girl kept staring or smiled and walked away... I'm usually surprised, and by the time I process it, unfreeze and figure out what to do, it's too late.
And thus, I also "bombed out" my whole life. But I've recently quit dating apps. It lead nowhere for 3 whole years now and the constant "judging and being judged" was tough. I'm trying to do more social activities instead and who knows, maybe someday there will be the right person. As per usual, I may have to withstand a hundred rejections before that.
One thing that's constantly been an issue is being 38 but looking like 18.
To a 25 y-o woman I'm "old enough to be her dad".
To a 30 to 35 y-o woman I look "way too young".