Guys, do you sometimes want to get "caught" checking a girl out?

[Anonymous]

Guys of GAG: what does it mean when a guy acquaintance/casual friend makes it noticible that he is checking you out? Why not try to hide it, at least?

[AmandaYVR]

Hey guys, can I ask you all something? What's the difference between checking a person out, and just looking/glancing at their face when walking past them?

(They might be looking from a distance, but I don't notice until the eyes are close.)

I think the details and frequency of this happening often depend on the size of the city/community that people live in (larger cities = more people squished together, and therefore less general acknowledging of each other, as you try to keep some amount of personal space. Whereas in smaller communities, people tend to acknowledge each other more, with a nod, hello, whatever. And maybe they are not strangers as often.)

If I'm not feeling social, I will look very obviously away, to one side or the other, when passing someone, so that they know we don't have to acknowledge each other. Or maybe look down at the street, just looking at where I'm walking. Other times, I acknowledge everybody who passes, but that depends on how busy it is. A busy street is different than a trail or walking path in a park. Yesterday I was on the latter, so this question got me thinking.

Another possible factor is safety. Sometimes I think men look directly at me/a person just to acknowledge that they are nice and friendly, not a threat. And I often look at them to let them know I'm not worried, they can relax, and I'm just being friendly.

Smiles and hellos are a whole other thing. That's much rarer. Or a long stare, which seems to indicate something else as well.

When is a look a 'check out', vs. a pleasantry, vs. trying to not look like a threat?
I have done all of these things, depending on my mood and the context. I doubt the guys ever know what I am thinking. There are times, here and there, when I think, "Wow, that guy is fine" and I don't mind if he knows that, gets the compliment, but mostly it all happens too fast for anything to really register.

[Dongtai]

When I’m checking a woman out I’m usually looking everywhere but her face, already knowing her face is attractive. So for me, looking at their body is checking them out. Looking at their face is just glancing at them or their general direction

[AmandaYVR]

Ah interesting. I look at everything from a distance, usually the clothes drawing my eyes first. I can’t see the face until they are closer, but it is most important.

[Asker]

@Dongtai do you let the woman notice you checking her out? If so, why?

[sensogal]

Why should they hide it? It makes more sense and is more straightforward to openly check someone out. Your friend /acquaintance likes what he's seeing... It's a type of flirting. Base on your reaction, he can then assess if you're interested too

[Amedeus]

Honestly? It's all super circumstantial. Sometimes I don't even realize I'm checking someone out. If I am, it depends on my mood. Sometimes I just want to look and appreciate. Sometimes I want to get caught as a form of flirting. On one hand, it can make it less of a cold approach if I plan on flirting, but on the other it might make the approach harder. It also depends on where I am and what I'm doing. For instance in Austria, it's actually more often than not, women that approach men after a glance exchange, if that makes sense. The dating world is strange. Lol

[smb930]

Sometime in the bars when I'm buzzed, I fling drink coasters like frisbees and aim at the boobies, but I don't throw very hard (just enough to get their attention). I use that as an excuse to "apologize," offer a drink and talk.

So far, nothing has taken off yet, so maybe it's not the best strategy.

Other times, I have been caught staring at the boobs, don't know if the girl likes it or not.

[ThisIsMyOpinion]

To give you the hint that we are checking you out. That way you know that we caught your eye and if you also like what you see you can give us a smile or any other sign that we can approach you.
That is the only reason why we do it.

Or we just want to look and don't care if you catch us or not. I mean "ya I was looking at you. So what?"

[Insightfull]

I want to make eye contact and talk to her. Hiding that I'm checking a girl out is counterproductive to meeting her.

That being said, when we check each other out and I don't make a move (because shyness) then it gets awkward. it's hard

[ColHathi]

I'd only want to get caught if I was trying to flirt by indicating that I think she looks hot, and I'd only do that if I thought for sure that she'd be interested in that and in me.

Basically, no.

[FancyPantzzz]

because men are disgusting filthy pigs. this is why whenever i see a hot girl i dont look at her, i want to check her out, but i tell myself no and repress the desire to look... that way there is no chance of being caught looking :)

[Dongtai]

You look at a person’s body when you’re checking them out. You look at their face when you’re looking at them

[Dongtai]

At least that’s how it is for me

[Dongtai]

I meant to post this on a comment, not for my answer but I’ll go ahead and put it here.

If she knows me I won’t mind getting caught. If she’s a stranger, I try not to get caught or stare because I don’t want to intimidate or make the girl feel uncomfortable. But honestly I should start getting caught then smile and wave to show I’m friendly. See what happens.

I always assume the girl is one of those “I hate men and especially men who look at me” types of girls. Especially when she already looks like she’s having a horrible day (resting bitch face). But lately I think my thoughts are really irrational

[metalhead_66]

I wouldn't do that to a new girl I'm meeting. But I do that to mess around with girls that I already know.

[Avicenna]

Yes, absolutely. It's a form of flirting and sends a clear message.

[Asker]

The I want to get with you message? Or something else? Lol

[Avicenna]

Yes, he at least wants sex.

[opnbuk59]

Always want to get caught going so unless your a pervert or peeping Tom,

[one1wild00]

He may hope you notice and call him out on it so he can start a response or in hopes that you do something to acknowledge it and do something to encourage him if you want to get "closer".

[morganlove]

If there's noone to get in trouble with it doesent much matter. For some guys it's the same thing as blatantly telling you he likes you and wants to go out.

[TadCurious]

Yeah I've done that where I did want to get "caught."

[Anonymous]

Because these are the kinds of ways girls demand we communicate.

Telling someone “hey I like you” is too crazy. For some reason we have to let ourselves get caught smiling at them and wait for a smile back and all kinds of dumb shit like that.

[MannySimms]

Why hide it? That's creepy as hell. Just smile and see what transpires.

[Liam_Hayden]

No. If I'm interested I am in no way coy about it. I just ask her out.

[Lunch_Long_Legacy]

If you're not doing it creepily, and the place & time are appropriate, then it's flirting, right?

[mustangwhiskey]

Depends, caught by my wife no, by the woman I'm checking out... I dont care. Still lookin.

[navyP]

I'm gonna check her out regardless of whether I get caught or not

[Anonymous]

Yes, in my transfer a class i got caught checking out this sexy skinny curly haired puerto rican chick. I don't know id she liked me because she would look at me before she left the class like im gonna stalk her

[jjj101010]

Yeah I probably have although they haven’t commented

[Chaos617]

Yeah nothing wrong with looking it's a human reaction.