Things I Never Knew: All About the Eyes

The Ultimate Stare Down



Eye contact in Spain is a language all it's own. A language that every other person knew about, is progressing well at understanding and has been pretty successful at executing- everyone, but myself.
So the way the language has been explained to me by a few Americans and my Spanish Professor after I asked for some details and worked really hard to interpret is now broken down here for all:
1.) If someone ( of any gender) is simply staring at you on the streets, it's a compliment. It is that persons way to show they are intrigued or that they admire your physical architecture.
2.) If you spot someone you may be interested in romantically you adhere to the decoded rules below:

• You the female wait until the male begins his stare down.
• Once the male has made sufficient eye contact with you smile to invite him to converse.
• If you decide at some point during the eye contact phase that you are not interested, turn away quickly and don't smile or you will receive some unwanted attention.

After having these rules explained to me I had plenty "light bulb" moments and a few cringe worthy memories for the road. My favorite of which took place my first night out on the town:

Male: "I'm really into eye-contact, I believe it's important." ( But seriously who says that?)

Me: " Same here, but I love people watching- human interaction can be so interesting."

Moment of silence for you to enjoy your cringe and laughter.

 Now back to my ramblings. At first I was all, " In one night you can make eye contact and a smile with 5 guys". But then I thought about it, the nerves and surrounding atmosphere can seriously hinder holding eye contact long enough to convey, " Hey boy don'tcha you know, you got something going on". Don't believe me, just give it a try the next time you spot a hottie with a body.

You may be asking what happens if this interaction happens in passing on the streets. Welp, I give you exhibit A and B:

I'm walking down the street and make eye contact with a very handsome young gent on a bike ( if you know me then you know my love for boys on bikes). We made eye-contact until the point for him to pass me occurred at which point he whistled and we went about our merry little lives.

OR you could smile, him stop his bike to invite you for drinks and five years later you are happily married living in Espana.

Your choice ladies.

Alcohol and Eye Contact, it's about to get real.

 What interest me the most about these silent interactions is that in a culture full of bright colors, vibrant personalities, an appreciation of the human physique, and a known abundance for cat calls in the streets this demure interaction exists so widely. Daily I'm "bird watching" folks on the streets to catch a glimpse and I've been prone to catch more than I ever expected.

Thank goodness Alex Lunato made sure I didn't even have to Ping Back this awesome Ecard.

 Please if there is a book about this subject feel free to suggest, or maybe even throw in your own commentary on the matter in the comments section- just remember as my observations are purely out of interest and not sign, sealed and delivered scientific study your comments should be kind and respectful to a welcoming culture.