It could say something about them or about you, or both.
It could be just them—they are more shy and less confident than you and your confidence and lack of shyness comes off as intimidating to them, because of them.
Another thing that could be just them is if it’s in a romantic context. If they like you a lot, they may think of you as intimidating if they feel like you’re out of their league.
In terms of it being about you, it may mean you simply command respect—which isn’t a bad thing. Who wouldn’t want to command respect, right?
I don't know really you sound like a lovely and approachable woman. Maybe it's just intentionally your facial expression while ykud concentrating on work or thinking.
I guess that it just means that maybe you also have a air of authority around you. You can be soft spoken and authorative maagbe that's what they find intimidating.
I hope what I've said makes sense and doesn't sound offensive. I genuinely don't mean it that way. I'm not the best with words.
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Oh that nonsense...
I used to hear that all the time in my 20s: apparently it means you come off as "unapproachable," or "hard to talk to, ask out" due to your personality and/or appearance.
I will never forget in college when a guy told that to me: I was in the Student Union getting some food and standing in line waiting to check out. A guy I knew approached me and said, "You're so intimidating!" I asked him why...
He told me because of my stance and how I had my arms crossed gave off "leave me alone" vibes.
Yeah, as I said, nonsense. To me, I'm just standing there waiting to check out and eat my food. But to the random person, apparently I'm unapproachable, LOL.
In other words, people are too presumptuous and judgmental sometimes. Rather than getting to know said person, they make assumptions. It doesn't mean you're actually intimidating. If they want to believe you're that way? LET THEM. Says more about them than you honestly.
Very subjective. If a woman is told that, it could mean:
- "I fear the white knights."
- "You look like a witch."
- "Girl, you more psycho than Amber Heard!"
- "I would like to tell you how I feel, but I don't want to risk some preposterous sexual harassment claim."
- "Your ways are mysterious to me, though I fear saying the wrong thing."
- "There is a definite imbalance of power here."
- "I have no idea what you're telling me, or what it means."
When said to a dude, by some gal:
- "There's a definite imbalance of power here."
- "I would like to tell you how I feel, but everyone else I know might think I'm a slut."
- "I am worried you'll jump out of my bushes someday, wearing a hockey mask and wielding a knife."
- "I consider you a dangerous hothead, but I'm going to word it differently, so I don't get faulted for setting you off."
- "I hate your guts for no reason, and wish great evil on you, but I still wish to be seen as the victim here."
- "You have powerful connections, and I don't want to embarrass myself in front of them."
- "I think you're slightly autistic, and I have no idea how to work with someone like that. Afraid I'll just make everything worse."
- "What the hell is NFT transclusion? Am I still on Earth?"
Which of those it means is entirely dependent on context.
I can call working at a different store "intimidating.". Which means: "I've never done XYZ task before, and have no confidence, because I have no one walking me through this. I'm probably doing it all wrong. I don't know where half the crap in this store goes. I hope no one asks for the car wash, because I've never had that feature at the other store and have no clue what to do. What if I can't do everything on the list in time? Should I be concerned about those spiders by the pumps, or is that a low priority? No one mentioned spider infestations by the pumps! And the cockroaches! Holy crap, the cockroaches! No wonder the night shift girls all quit in one night!"
I think most people misuse intimidating when they mean overwhelming. You can be in a slow mood when someone comes to you, has plans involving you, ideas and thoughts they want to share with you, and it takes a while to get used to them. They are going motorway speeds while you are having a stroll in a park. It's not a purely negative thing, as the adventures you have with such people can be memorable, but not everyone is ready to be taken for a ride in that exact moment.
As a 6'3" man I can have an actually intimidating effect although that is not my intention. But I have met plenty of shorter people who have easily overwhelmed me just with their personality and energy.
If you're very attractive, and have resting bitch face syndrome then you can easily come across as intimidating. If you smile at people when they look at you, then you become more approachable and friendly looking. If people say you're intimidating, I would assume you don't smile often.
Depends, guy or woman. People tell me my stature is intimidating. Which always make me laugh because I'm soft like cookie dough.
But if it's a guy saying it about a woman. Most the time I'd consider it a line. But if he means it it can be for many reasons. Is it bad? Well that depends on what the reason is.
I’ve been told the same thing. I always approach people with a smile and cheery attitude. But when some people first get to know me they tell I have a scary face when I’m not smiling. I’ve also been asked like a million times “why are you pissed off?” When my face is resting. I always respond with “well I wasn’t pissed off before but I am now. Thanks for that”
It could be either really. Many times it is a bad thing though there are some women who can intimidate in a good way romantically just make you nervous and once they see they make you nervous they start making more intense eye contact and giving certain looks almost like they do it on purpose (I have been told some do especially when they ask if you are nervous)
u it could mean that you have a really good amount of healthy and well placed confidence... and that, can be intimidating to some, certain people, but it would be more about them and less about you really
as in, they might feel intimidated by you... rather than you being intimidating per se, subtle difference... lol
Good question. I’m very soft spoken and shy and really don’t go out of my comfort zone to talk. And because of that I was told the reason guys never asked me out in high school or people in general didn’t want to talk to me was because I was intimidating. I was puzzled by this because I’m a small petite female with a soft voice, how would I be intimidating?
I've been told I am intimidating because of my stature, but like you, once a person gets to know me, they see I am very good at putting them at ease.
I think you hit the nail on the head in your update, people sometimes can be very quick to judge!
I know this girl who people say is "intimidating." I think it's just because she's super confident and loud. Like, other people are loud, but she's just very self-assured and talkative. She's also very pretty and fashionable. It's a combination of those things. So it could be that. Or it's just sometimes the vibe you give off. Also, some people say women are intimidating if they have an rbf. It's not necessarily a bad thing.
1. Men often use the word intimidating when they have to think before they have to do something. It is something simply put, 'I can not just say/do anything to/around and get away with it'. So it's a good thing I guess.. you make them think and up their game. As sad as it is, men do get it easy today and are spoilt.
2. In a parallel universe, it could be just one stupid person's opinion in the room that he made public with someone and now the word travelled and you are labelled intimidating while you are just feeling awkward because everybody is so extra careful.
It just the way you look or your energy. People say that I look like a snob or that i feel "superior". But, no. I'm shy and really friendly. But the way I walk is what gives people the impression of me being "x" or "y". Don't take it personally. Be you. The right people will come to you. Trust me.
It's both a good and bad thing. Good thing. You're pretty, a fun person to hang around with, you're an example for them to follow. Bad thing. Because you're intimidating they might not treat you the same way as others, they might not even interact with you at all because you're 'so intimidating' and that's a pity. You can say 'their loss', but it's also ours.
That is just it, you are one of the good girls... lol ;) Guys don't know how to act around a good girl... They can not be themselves, you intimidate them... But it is a good thing too. A guy has to be confident to approach you which is what you want anyway, right? You are a beautiful woman so that also can be somewhat intimidating to guys...
Funny you said that because I'm very goal oriented and I don't have much free time so when I am down to business I have tunnel vision trying to get from point A to point B and I would hear from a 3rd party telling me that people think I'm unapproachable but in reality I am very mellow and get along with everyone 😘
If you're intimidating people don't tell you that you are.
Means they see you as their hero and they think they're unworthy to be with you
I would say not
I feel like it can even be a compliment if the person says it the right way, as in you can be serious and keep yourself through a serious conversation with someone, whether they’re a coworker or random person or whatever
If they're saying you're intimidating it's probably because of your looks. They are too intimidated to approach you because they think you are really hot.
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