here's looking at you, kid.

{me.  staring.  at you.}

i have a nasty habit. i stare a lot.  not always on purpose.  sometimes i'll be looking in a general area then get lost in a thought {you know i have a lot of those...} then an individual standing in aforementioned general area will notice my gaze and either call out my social flaw or immediately feel uncomfortable by my presence.  and let it be known, sometime i really am staring.  generally at a polynesian {has it been made clear yet that i have an intense draw towards those from "the islands"?} or a cool indie person with awesome shoes{again, you know me..}  either staring on accident or staring on purpose, we all do it.  so because i love you, i will let you in on my little secret...

3 ways to get yourself away from an awkward, accidental staring contest.

1. continue staring and say "what?" this makes the person that caught you staring feel like the offender. they'll quickly feel embarrassed and look away, giving you social safety.
2. find something behind or near the person {clocks, other people, a house...all work well for option 2} and act really, really interested in it.  works best if you point out said interesting thing to someone near you and get them to seem really, really interested as well.
3. practice looking away really quick.  tips:  look with your eyes, not your head. pulling a willow smith will totally blow your cover.  be smooth.  make it natural. 

use this tool. it will help you, as it does me every single day.  so stop embarrassing yourself and just get back to staring!  i know you want to.