What does "creepy" mean? And why do girls throw this term around so much?

Question

Ok, after many hours of watching girls use this word, here is what I have come up with:

1. It is a derogatory term.

2. It has something to do with fear, but does not exactly mean the same thing as "scary". As in, "be careful, that guy's creepy."

3. It has something to do with unwanted sexual attention, as in "I'm worried that creep likes me."

So, here is what I've got: It means a vaguely scary guy who you don't like is sexually attracted to you.

Is that it?

The_Box · Accepted Answer

This question makes me want to puke. Creep is just a prejudicial term against those who are weak. I guess they deserve it, but man, talk about brutal. The creep only wants to better himself, yet the way those who are socially content deal with the creep almost ensures his doomed status.

Basically, Creep = Sweet + Ugly

Good intentions with bad execution. It grows from incompetence: the bane of the weak.

Look at Anonymous Girl #2, newprecedent, and superbus17. They hit it spot on. It explains perfectly michie's "He texts me from the second floor telling me that he can see me from above, and wave when I look up." I shouldn't be the only one who can see how that could be construe as romantic given the right circumstances. If the girl was into the guy, him saying hi in random places just to make her smile would be sweet, not creepy.

Most people are creeps the first time they like someone but it works out because they're good looking and that's where that whole notion of middle school romances like Twilight comes from. Girls will appreciate creepiness emphatically if they like the guy in question enough.

Best example I've seen is with this totally socially awkward guy who is really cute. It doesn't matter how much he screws up, he just can't lose because the girls always find him sweet on account of being cute. It's absurd.He couldn't be more of an indecisive chump.

Creep is a justification for vain hatred. Because girls can't distinguish personality from looks, they unknowingly hide this unjust disgust by claiming creepy is a personality trait, and to an extent it is, but as it has been discussed, the definition is very broad. The only unifying factor is looks.

Now you might be wondering if because you were an anonymous user with no picture, how did you end up as a creep? It's simple. Because looks and personality are the same thing to girls, and because you questioned an accusation of 'creepery' in an slightly overly sophisticated way which does not appeal to your audience, your "looks" (or the subconscious image given to you by personality when one cannot be established) was a negative one, solidifying your creep status. Basically, you screwed up once, and then got stuck as being a creep. If you had slightly modified the way you phrased that response, you would've never been called a creep.

As far as instinct goes. That's absurd. You just can't know if someone has a creepy personality or any personality for that matter solely by a flash judgment. It further proves how the true measure of creepiness is based in looks. I know this very well, having been judged in all sorts of diverse ways by different people while doing the exact same things. I've been called funny, weird, dumb, smart, prudish, perverted, a religious zealot, an atheist, awesome, a loser, sexually attractive, and a creeper. Flash judgments are never right.

Hehe, I almost used up all of the space for an answer. This is my longest one yet.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

The creep is usually a guy the girl doesn't like from the word go (whether attractive or not), and does things which she thinks is awkward, stupid, or irrational (in her eyes) - and she gets the jeepers from this. Often the creep is someone who makes her feel uncomfortable and unsafe, when he is either around her or her friends.

The level of creepiness goes from plain staring at girls to doing stupid things or stuff out of the blue. Like saying 'How was class today?' when you have never known her at all in school, to 'I love you!' on Valentines Day when you have never shown any effort to know her on a date or during courtship. The worst type is the stalker type...guys who doesn't know or ever talk to the girl in question, but stares/looks at her all day at some point from a distance; may follow her movements; is (quite often) obsessed about her, and observes her from a distance. He is also someone who is (very) selfishly inclined; psychologically unstable; may break down her confidence as a person (ie. make her feel bad most times) and if knowing her may look to remove her trusted circle of friends away from her and make her turn against them.

To conclude, the creep is someone who is obsessed about her; wants to have her for himself; maybe slightly mentally imbalanced; doesn't respect her privacy/space/life/friends. He is someone she doesn't trust intuitively, and who she works hard to avoid. He's basically someone that she can't trust. I think that about sums it up!

Jessica1810 · Accepted Answer

Creepy is a guy who women fear might do something to them sexually that they don't want.

A creep is a player but without the necessary intellignece/ self-control social skills to get women to be attracted to them - but they demand/think they can get women nevertheless. A creep is not a nice guy.

He does not respect a female's boundaries, personal space and will continue to come onto them even when women don't want him.

There is no feminine version of a creep literally because men generally like all sexual attention and do not fear women are going to do something sexually that they don't want (because they can overpower them).

The female version of a creep would probably be a woman who maybe would purposely get herself pregnant in order to keep you/take money off you. This kind of woman who is desparate and very scary and will not let you go/nor stop talking to you. She might make up a relationship with you even if you never said that you were in one with her and will stake a claim on you. It's the same kind of feeling. That is the closest to a female version of a creep.

YOU are not a creep, because you obviously care what women think of you.

Creeps have zero self-awareness and do not respect women - they just want to get laid, he just does not know how to go about it and cannot

An eccentric is definitely not a creep.

Just as an eccentric woman is not necessarily a crazy woman.

In order to not come across as a creep, do not pursue women in an overly nervous/aggressive way and don't leer at them or continue to talk to them if they walk away from you... because all these things make women nervous. Just be yourself, and don't leer at women, don't keep calling/pursuing them if they are not interested and don't follow them on the street without talking to them.

I was recently at an airport and there was a guy who was at least 30 years older than me who told me he had been watching me and that I had been there for a long time. He didn't seem concerned about me, he was not making sure I was OK, he just kept staring and grinning in a maniac way at me. I was polite and spoke to him for a minute then excused myself. Then, I found that wherever I was in the airport, he would just happen to be there. He would not say anything - but just stare. He tried to talk to me again but he could not speak coherently and seemed high on drugs and just kept grinning so I asked him to leave me alone - he was a prime example of a creep.

Hope this helps.

superbus17 · Accepted Answer

In girl world, a creeper is like becoming a lepor. I swear if a girl deems you a creeper and spreads the word, you're doomed with all of those girls. Creeper is a very strong word which is why guys don't like being called it because it's not only hurtful, but then other girls may ignore you because you "creeped on Amy" and are now an unsafe, odd, weird, male who can't take a hit. But here's how me and my girls define creeper:

1- A male who does not understand social and verbal cues and therefore continually and earnestly pursues a female with no intention to stop

2 - A male who fully understands rejection and STILL pursues said object of affection and resorts to intimidation tactics such as stalking, cyber stalking calling, harrasment, or any form of constant contact that could possibly be considered illegal

3 - A sleezy male who uses cliches, pickup lines, or any other insincere ways to get a girl. Usually is overly confident in himself and thinks little of the girl he is trying to attact and thinks poorly of her when she turns him down

4 - An older male in his late twenties and older who is constantly seeking out or giving improper attention to younger girls, usually girls who are their junior by 7 years or more. Many of these men seek girls who can land them in prison as they are under the age of consent. Some of them may not seek sexual relationships, but give the girls sexual attention through comments, gestures, etc. These men look but don't touch and are usually found in professions where they have power and access to these girls such as in the educational field. (i.e. creeper teachers)

5 - This on is really sad, but if you rarely speak but you constantly follow and stare at your crush just to be near her, she might consider you a creeper. Too much physical contact and body language without any social cues is creepy.

I think that's it. Anybody feel free to at to my list.

morganmairah · Accepted Answer

i don't think you're creepy for asking. I often wonder why people say someone's creepy when they're not. what most people say is "creepy" I just think of as awkward. you're right, the definition is way too broad, but the English language changes all the time. what means one thing one day might mean something completely different the next. if someone's calling you creepy, don't worry about it. some other girl might find it endearing.

Anonymous · Answer

A female creep is an unattractive chick who wants you but you think it's just gross. And a creep is not someone who isn't a standard grade teenager, a creep is someone who would weird you out, whether by reputation, how he looks, or how he looks at you (towards a girl). And if you've spent many hours watching girls say it, you may be one in their eyes. As with any sort of word, it's completely relative. One girl may think you a creep while another loves the hell outta you. A guy who just leers at girls all day long while not looking like a player may be slated 'a creep', which is why someone such as myself, a certified 'creep' (not that most recognize it, though), just does it very stealthily and very tactfully when possible. Creeps don't generally get the girls (except for the girls who like that sorta stuff), so it generally helps not to be recognized as one. Some good methods are sunglasses wearing (outside), seeming like you're just looking around, catching glances at your target (which I do for 'creepy' purposes, even though it's more observation for me), and just all around using every opportunity you get to catch a peek without looking like you're looking

michie · Answer

Here are some things that guys do that I would consider him creepy:

- He does not go to my school, but he goes there to study.

- He texts me from the second floor telling me that he can see me from above, and wave when I look up.

- He walks up and down the aisle in the library and not even say hi when I am sure that he could clearly see me. Then he comes after a while and say "hi, didn't know you're here"

- He sees that you are attending to some event on Facebook, and he decides he would attend too (it is a school event and he doesn't go to the same school as me)

- He calls me all of a sudden to ask where is the closest restaurant in the area around school, even when he is there all the time.

- He notices immediately and text/message you about it when you decides not to let him see your profile pictures on Facebook.

That, is creepy.

Anonymous · Answer

::LISTEN UP::

its only creepy when you don't like the guy/attracted. end of story. All you gurls know if some fine dude(with game) came up to you in the so called creeper way, you would be telling all your gfs how sweet he is for practically stalking you. Guys figure out if the attention is wanted first boyfriend you "creep". Girls quit being full of yourselves and practically telling the whole world he is a creeper just cause he's ugly and trying to get to know you. Take it as a compliment but firmly but politically correctly tell him your not interested and move on.

That is all.

armyant · Answer

A creep is a guy who's attracted to a girl who doesn't think he's hot.

The female version of a creep comes in many forms and therefore there is no unifying term. The scientific community generally agrees that the "one of the guys girl", "gamer girl" and "women's studies major" all classify as female creeps from least creepy to most, in order.

xhelloxkittyx · Answer

Honestly the only time I use that term is if my friends and I go to a bar.  A "creep" or "creeper" is a guy that is well, creepy. A creep is that obnoxious guy at the bar or on the dance floor.  He grinds up on random girls without any regard for their feelings or relationship status.  He's the guy who feeds you the "I have a cat.  Sorry, I thought we were talking about things that didn't matter" line when you say you're taken.  He continues to hit on you after numerous failed attempts, and no matter what you do, you just can't get rid of him.  Being nice doesn't work, being a bitch doesn't work.

ALWAYSclassy · Answer

The feminine version of creep? Probably psycho, bunnyboiler, stalker, single white female, crazy bitch, 51/50

Stop being so defensive. If many women call you a creep then do whatever it is you need to do to not be a creep. I've had guys I didn't like be sexually attracted to me but not all of them were creeps.

You are a creep if you make someone uncomfortable by overstepping your boundaries and being too pushy/forward. If the girl is not sending you any positive signals, leave it alone and stop trying or she's gonna think you're a creep.

Some guys give off bad and weird vibes. Like they would try to attack you if they had the opportunity or give off perverted vibes.

Rainbows · Answer

No, it does not mean that at all...

I told you, it is literally impossible to describe. It's like I have a sensor inside of my body that goes off and alerts me to when people are being creeps. I would say that there are just as many conformist creeps as there are non-conformist ones.

I honestly don't know what to tell you. Have you never just, like, *felt* that someone was not a good person, that you would want to be around? I have honestly learned to trust it, because it usually ends up being right. Like, I have just had feelings about people, and then I never see them again, but I hear stories about how they've gone completely insane and have committed crimes or whatever. Things like that.

anacoana · Answer

It means, like if the guy just keeps staring at the girl, that's creepy. That's also put under "stalker" by the way. It means a guy who looks like he only wants a girl for one reason. Like he'll lurk around and stare at you, or show up in the same outside-of-school places as you are just a LITTLE too often for comfort. The staring thing, as I said before, is a BIG turnoff. And no silly, it doesn't mean someone who talks or dresses or acts differently, I don't know about other girls, but I like boys who are different! I hope that helps, bye!

b33t1t · Answer

it's a term that gets thrown out a lot by girls. I always thought it was because a guy continues to go after a girl even though she has given hints or has already said that she has no interest. Lately though it seems that girls everywhere just use the term on any guy that might put himself out there and goes out on a limb to ask a girl out, but the girl isn't attracted to them. Seriously, unless a girl doesn't find you "hot" when you talk to them/flirt, then I guess that makes you a creeper.

Not attractive = Creeper

"Trying too hard" = Creeper

Continues to chase after denial (blatant or otherwise) = Creeper

"Gut feelings from the girl" = Creeper

***Basically, any girl can deem a guy a creeper for the most stupid, lame excuses, and the guy can't really do anything about it (in the event that he does, it just usually furthers his status as a creeper). Creeper is slowly replacing the word Rapist, both in meaning and social consequence. :)

tex151 · Answer

If you want to know who a creeper is, well after reading your responses, question asker your a creeper congratulations, your a creeper and you didn't know it until now. If chicks are calling you creepy or a creeper, that means you need to stop being so creepy.

I haven't been called a creeper before, I've been called an asshole but that is way different than a creeper. I do use the term creeper a lot when joking with my friends, say one of them does something weird or looks at me in a way, I say whoa easy there creeper.

Have you ever seen Silence of the Lambs, now that guy was a true creeper, put the lotion in the basket, or you will get the hose again, or the best line of all I'd f*** me. Just act like a normal guy and you won't get called a creeper.

elpipe · Answer

You have got some good answers I think. One can be creepy in many different ways.

But I have some good news for you. It is a lot easier for a guy to come off as creepy than it is for a girl. A girl almost has to be mentally disturbed to creep out guys. But we men, we creep out girls all the time just for not being attractive enough in their eyes. So relax, it is normal to creep out girls, it is part of being a man. You sound like a girl worrying about it like that.

Let your creepiness be the girls problem, not yours. And as a side effect to that easy going attitude you will probably came off as less creepy.

kellylizzz · Answer

Oh boys, I'm sorry that creepy even exists. It's like, hardwired in our brains to think that almost anything you do that isn't perfectly sweet is creepy and that you only want to bang us. You have it so hard :/ We're always telling guys to just go up to the girl they like and tell them, but that often comes across as creepy. Nearly anything you do can be creepy. And yes, it has to do with fear, but not like, ''I'm in danger'' fear. I don't know. It's bad. I feel bad for guys. Everything is friggin creepy. lol

suki248 · Answer

Creepy guys are guys who say strange things that may be (or are obviously) suggestive. They can also be a person who gives you or someone else unwanted attention---especially if they are persistent. Creeps are often either annoying or mysterious.

And on a side note, they can (but don't have to) have greasy hair, smell like sweat, and wear velcro sandals.

Many of us girls use the term so often because we encounter people will any one of the above characteristics often. Maybe it's just being on the internet?

mynameisnotjake · Answer

I get called a creep any time i say anything to any female. really doesn't bother me.  i know why... I'm 5'5 but do not see myself as little. i see myself as big. so in short, i know I'm hotter and smarter than most of the girls i talk to and could not care less that i creep them out. got on here looking for a way to explain this to a younger friend. i guess you ladies think that's creepy too, huh? Develop a lot of social skills and a vocabulary before youtalk to guys like me-- we ONLY care how creatid intelligent you are and your looks can be a turn-off. you might just get embarrassed and go home crying.  ps: am in a happy relationship.

gwenwyn · Answer

I think you summed it up well, in your next to last sentence. However, I have male friends who wear the creeper badge with pride. They're perfectly fine men, who may have a slight problem giving women they like personal space (they invade the bubble) or will repeatedly try to contact whom they are interested in without time for response. The ones I know are highly intelligent - though I do know creepy guys exist who are not so bright - and often, to some degree or another, socially inept. Or, more accurately, inept at talking to women. Many 'creeps' are verbally aggressive, which may be a laudable trait among other men or at least a method of attaining some form of dominance, but it can be intimidating and offputting to women.

If you keep being referred to as a creep or a creeper, I would suggest monitoring the level of space you give to women when talking, and how verbally analytical you can be during conversations. That may not eradicate the issue, but it may help.

newprecedent · Answer

When young people use that word it's usually has a hypocritical element. If the guy giving you sexual attention is good looking or popular, you wouldn't call him a creep but be more or less flattered. It's only when girls don't WANT the attention, that they feel compelled to brush that person away by calling them that, Yes it is a harmful and derogatory name, once a group of girls establish someone as a creep your dating reputation falls drastically.

crrazaylove · Answer

creepy to me means..a guy that is obsessed with you and is everywhere you are. THats creepy right? creepy is when they wanna do weird things like sniff your underwear..creepy? creepy is when a random guy sits in a corner by his self at a party and just stares and smiles at everybody...creepy?

Rainbows · Answer

It is an adjective that means "producing an uneasy fearful sensation" or "strangely repulsive". If you're using it in reference to a person, it does often mean somebody who is vaguely scary and/or sketchy who is sexually attracted to you, but it's not specifically for men, and can be used to describe women too, and it's really not derogatory in any way.

My God, do you even realize the irony in all of this? You are being creepy by asking about the definition of creepy.

littleminx19 · Answer

Edward Cullen=the pure defintion of a creep! Jk...not really! Generally, a creep is a guy who you aren't interested in but he does something that you don't find comfortable (like watch you in your sleep or touches you or something like that) as a way of flirting with you. It is not a good thing to be called a creep!

lucky_charmed · Answer

creepy is exactly what you think it is. its some weirdo guy who tries to hang around you or stares at you constantly and kind of freaks you out in a way, its definitely a bad sign if a girl calls a guy creepy.  eww just thinking of it groses me out lol

What does "creepy" mean? And why do girls throw this term around so much?

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