Yay or Nay

[Spevna]

I can understand why he was doing it. I doubt if it was because he was bored at school though. There was lots of his friends their to chat with. Heck, I take quick peep at PSPs for a second or two at first. But staring over the shoulder of a stranger is crossing the line I would say.

Next time I will just sand up and stare back until he squirms hehehe

That would do it

[Dungeon Lord]

Oops. I meant stand up. Not too sure what sanding up would consist of...

[ashmie]

Maybe he just loves video games and thought it was cool.
If it was a 40 something salary man watching that would be more worrying. Anyway, what do I know. Staring is something I've got used to over the years I just don't do eye contact now as once I start staring they continue staring back until we end up in a stare match and it's never clear who started it.
To be fair it's lucky this lad was in Japan and not Stockport Manchester. Ere, you fookin lookin at my ipad or what! Yeah I hate starers I try not to find them if they are there.
Depends on the place. Countryside beyond Tsu on the way to Ise is harder work I suppose. Towns and cities aren't as stare filled, although Tokyo surprisingly was last time we visited.

@ DL: Regardless it must have been annoying for you. Thanks for posting. It's one of those what if, what would you do dilemmas now. Good to think about it. Aggggh, can't sleep.

[ashmie]

It reminds me of the days when you used to get about 20 kids in an arcade all crowded around Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with one poor sod in the centre desperately trying to hit as many buttons as possible in record time while the onlookers shouted "Go on, twat him one".

[me_in_japan]

And yeah come on folks he's a child he doesn't give a shit for what is and isn't rude.

I dunno, - I kinda feel we have a responsibility as adults to show kids what is and isnt rude. I mean, if one just leaves it and doesnt react, the kid is never going to learn what is and isnt ok. I'm not suggesting one should get angry - that's never a good idea when dealing with kids, or the public in general, but I do think it's quite important for people to be told that their actions are not acceptable. You can't just hope they'll work it out themselves, because there's no incentive for them to do so. I dunno, maybe it's just the teacher in me talking, but I think kids need to be told/shown what's right and wrong, or they just end up as chavs.

[ashmie]

What's wrong with being a chav?

Fair comment MIJ.　I've deleted that statement as it is irresponsible, you're right. I suppose I was thinking back to when I was a teenager and I speak for myself when I really didn't care what was rude or not, particularly in terms of to teachers and adults. In fact it was one of my favourite things to wind them up unless they were 'cool' adults. Like DL with his super cool ipad. That's why I would have been staring because I wanted one of those.

[Dungeon Lord]

At least here in Japan, the kids may actually listen and reflect a little (depending on the kid of course). I reckon they would just get huffity in Australia and talk back to ya. But, yeah, someone needs to say what is and isn't acceptable behaviour in public.

[Primarch]

What's wrong with being a chav?

I sincerely hope you are joking.

Back on topic,

Please bear in mind here folks that there are some people out there, in our own countries as well, who are a little bit socially inept. Some people just have no concept of personal space, polite behaviour or that staring at someone's iPad is wrong.

[ashmie]

If it makes it any better, I told an old bus driver he was driving like a maniac the other day and he should take care. That's a different kettle of fish though. From the ground up.
He actually took it on board and said ah sou desu ka? Looking quite pensive.

[job]

And yeah come on folks he's a child he doesn't give a shit for what is and isn't rude.

I dunno, - I kinda feel we have a responsibility as adults to show kids what is and isnt rude. I mean, if one just leaves it and doesnt react, the kid is never going to learn what is and isnt ok. I'm not suggesting one should get angry - that's never a good idea when dealing with kids, or the public in general, but I do think it's quite important for people to be told that their actions are not acceptable. You can't just hope they'll work it out themselves, because there's no incentive for them to do so. I dunno, maybe it's just the teacher in me talking, but I think kids need to be told/shown what's right and wrong, or they just end up as chavs.

I don't know. It is one thing to teach to our own children, or to the children we are given charges over, but it is another thing to presume we have the responsibility to teach anything to any other kid. What if there parent is near by and disagrees with what you say? (They're probably going to agree, but still, if they disagree or take issue with something you say to their child then suddenly you may be in a tight spot.) Are you sure you want your child taught things by strangers? (I presume they'd be well-behaved, but still, do you think other adults have the responsibility and right to help guide your child's morale behavior?)

Anyway, staring isn't a universal taboo. Certainly I learned people didn't like it on the playgrounds in the US. Also depending upon the person, people approach reading over the shoulder or staring at something with different attitudes.