Stop & Stare

Ever since we're born, we're taught by our parents to strive for the best, if it's not the best, then you didn't try hard enough. They smile when you hand them a report card revealing your 4.0 GPA, but when they're informed that the neighbor's kid received a 4.3, your 4.0 suddenly becomes less valuable.
Dating way back to the 17th century, Hobbes philosophy of human nature as self-interested still is evident in today's society. As a result of our trained mentality to achieve the best, we eventually evolve into competitive human beings. We learn as society shapes us that in order to be the best, everyone else must be surpassed. When the same goal is desired, everyone becomes an enemy.
Throughout my life, I've encountered countless cases of misunderstandings due to people assuming the worst of others. When a stranger of the same gender stares, we automatically assume the worst. We all have probably heard or had experience with the term "dawging." Though somewhere in our minds we know that this stranger does not have a basis to judge, our reaction is to avoid looking that way to avoid trouble. However, let's say this person who stares is one that is of opposite gender. In this case, the figurative, "checking out" comes to mind. We constantly look back in order to assure that they are still staring, or perhaps, even to "check [them back] out."
Now, why do people stare?
I admit, I tend to stare at people (boy or girl) if I find them attractive. [Don't judge me! I know you do it too!] Of course, if they're an attractive perfect stranger; I have no reason to have bad intentions; if they happen smile at me, I would smile back. But this is usually not the case. Usually the girls end up looking away rather than smile, and when I plan on smiling, they usually look away before I get the chance, vice-versa.
When dealing with same gender strangers who are staring because they've heard bad things about you from someone else, I guess it becomes a little bit tricky. Perhaps dealing with people of the same gender we subconsciously classify them as a competitor. Whether or not the person staring has bad intentions, our nature is to be defensive, and to be defensive, we must assume the worst. {click, it's relevant, I promise.}
I was friends with a girl named Fiona in middle school. We didn't communicate much, and when I got to 10th grade, she turned out to be the best friend of Tien, a girl in my sophomore class who I didn't get along with. Fiona, being the best friend, started to show obvious dislike towards me, though the problem was just between me and Tien. Anyway, one day, I was at the beach with some of the Du Truongs at the time, and Fiona happened to be with the group right next to where our table was. She stared at me throughout the day, and I ignored it to avoid trouble. Then after a while, I found myself staring back at her. I swear, we looked at each other for a good 3 seconds before I smiled at her. To my surprise, she smiled back and all was well. Goes to show, a little smile coupled with a stare can mean all the difference.