Gawking and admiring are both in the eye of the beholder. I would say that people admire the Eiffel Tower. It is a marvel, a masterpiece of beauty, design and architecture and when you see people looking at it, they appear to be staring. When women dress for themselves to look beautiful to empower themselves, they are creating a space for themselves that people will notice, admire and appear to be staring at and yes gawking at as well.

Now, don't get me wrong. Men do gawk, but I believe it is the intent behind the look, whether gawking or admiration, that is the root of the problem. Gawking at a woman like prey, for that next sexual mountain to conquer is what leads to the look being uncomfortable and unnerving for the woman.

I think the men who have intent behind their looking at women in admiration are few and unfortunately may never be seen by the woman they are looking at or the others that see this act as anything less than gawking.

Magic Fingers

In our culture, staring freaks women out! In my experience, in other countries around the world, men are free to stare and that's the way it is- here? Not so much.

When a man stares at me, it makes me feel preyed upon. I know this may seem unfair, but I think it also depends on the setting and the age of the person you're staring at. If I'm walking through a shopping mall and an older man is staring at me, I'll avoid him. If I'm at the bar/restaurant/concert, and a guy my age is staring at me, I'll be more apt to feel comfortable and return the glance.

Women are very cautious creatures.