Checking out women — the legendary Barney Stinson has it down to an art form. So should all you other guys out there. There are enough creeps on the road who make women uncomfortable just by looking. So if you must look, do it without offending the fairer sex. These guys tell us how.
A thing of beauty naturally draws your attention, says model Aroon Pemmaiah. “It’s instinctive, and different people have different ideas of beauty,” he states. According to the ramp scorcher, all men, irrespective of whether they’re single or committed, check out women.
“There’s no harm in looking,” Aroon says, but is quick to add, “It’s just best if your girlfriend doesn’t notice. In fact the best way to check out someone is to wear shades so that even the subject of your silent appraisal isn’t aware of it!” Instead of stealing furtive glances, he advises, “Look straight ahead and pretend she just happens to be in your field of vision. And don’t stare at any particular body part. That’s a dead give-away.”
“Girls are not offended by guys checking them out,” counters Puneeth S, an engineer. Many of them enjoy the attention, he argues. But they’re only flattered if they like the guy. No one should be subjected to some lewd stranger undressing them with their eyes. “It’s simply not done to pointedly stare at a woman like she’s an object. If done discreetly, girls don’t mind the male gaze,” he says. “In fact, girls check out guys too so it goes both ways.”
As it happens, women check out other women, adds stand-up comic Praveen Kumar. He tells us, “My wife certainly does! When she sees someone dressed provocatively, she points them out to me.” The golden rule when you find yourself in this situation is never to voice your admiration. She could be baiting you, and there is such a thing as TMI (too much information).
“My wife only shows me other women because she knows that the max I can do is look,” says Praveen with a laugh. “And look I will. After all that’s the reason why women dress up. If we men don’t look at them, how will they feel good about themselves? I’m doing a good deed by checking out women, really.”