The nomadic reporter

A “level 3″ stare…

Fine, fine, it’s not a game. I couldn’t come up with a title. I’m lame.

At any rate, I do want to talk about staring. Now, I am stared at here. Is this a surprise? Not really, considering my height and the way I look. I’m stared at here on a level that I have never experienced outside of China, including the entire continent of Africa. Yes. Okay, folks, I know I’m a giant viking but the staring has gotten to a level that is it rather hilarious.

Fine, fine, I live in a nation of people who stare. Really? Is it a big deal. Nawww… not really. But it does amuse me.

Okay, now, the levels.

1) The standard gawk: Pretty much what I consider the “normal” stare. I would say it runs an average of 5 seconds and people look away when I look them in the eye. Often performed on the subway or at the bus stop.

2) The street stop gawk: far more common in West Beijing near where I work, the street stop means that someone literally stops in their tracks when they see you and spends a minimum of TEN, I repeat, TEN seconds staring at you.

3) The kiddie almost cry stare: usually performed by children who don’t often see foreigners. Children are so disturbed by your presence that they stare at you like you’re the monster under the bed. And… wait for it… the face crumple… Oh wait. That’s right. You are the monster under the bed.

3) The bicycle dismount: Usually performed by elderly women and my absolute favourite, albeit rare. This happens when someone is riding along, they see me, and they decide my existence here is such a shock that it requires a stop, a complete bicycle dismount and at least a GOOD 30 second stare. That’s a minimum, mind you. This really is the top tier level of staring, and I generally get excited when it happens, almost like I have won a prize.

Okay, bye bye, I’m going out to get stared at.