Do you notice people staring at you when visiting a provincial town?

[himbw]

I was born and raised in a market town in Cumbria. Moved away when 18 and go back to see parents every few months. I now live in central London.

My partner agreed with me that he feels people stare when we are walking around town. He feels the same way when he visits his folks in a small town in rural north Wales.

It’s not anything malicious, I don’t think, but it does feel like people can tell you’re not a local.

We don’t have pink hair or dress in any odd way. I guess the only difference might be that we might have different fashion choices or clothes, i e, m&s is a basic for us.

Does anyone else notice this? We don’t feel the same when visiting somewhere like Suffolk or maybe Devon. What is it?

Are you walking round with an "I'm special, me?" attitude? That might be it.

No

Nope can't say that I have experienced this in my 48 years.

The whole of Devon?

Sorry I misread that. Isn't it just a small town thing where people generally know everyone else?

I think certain places might have a typical ‘look.’
Maybe the locals in Cumbria dress more for the weather, that sort of thing.

I'd hazard a guess that it's all in your head.

Unless you are particularly loud, and wander around saying things like 'oh, Derek, look, it's all so provincial' because that might have something to do with it.

Depending on how small often everyone is known to everyone so anyone who doesn't live there is easily identifiable. But no I've never been stared at.

No

Not even in small villages where most people might know other people who live there.

I’m literally wandering around rural Devon and Cornwall this week wearing hijab and no one is staring!

If it's your home towns maybe people are looking because they think they recognise you?

I stare at people walking down our road. My eyesight is not the best so I have to have a stare to work out if I know the person e.g. Doreen from No48 who will think I am rude if I don't do a cheery wave as I drive past.

Sometimes I wave at strangers, just to be on the safe side.

I’m from a small rural town in N Wales, and now live in a small rural town village in Cumbria…. Never even considered your issue a thing.

Yes I have experienced this in a few countries outside the UK.

In my case my friend explained its my clothes.
They weren't quite in keeping with what local women typically wear and people subconsciously recognise you as an auslander.

Eg. A perfectly normal bright red jumper woth bright yellow t shirt, jeans and trainers / and a colourful bag will get you funny looks in some small Scandinavian / german towns

"You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realised how seldom they do".

I'm pretty sure even the most bored people idly wandering around town, are paying you no thought whatsoever.

Let alone the pair of you.

No, I haven’t, and I say that as a southerner who’s spent a lot of time in small market towns up north. I think this might be a you issue.

provincial

Could it be the way you dress? I sometimes look at people if they’re dressed really well.

Do they look at you like this?

What a lovely comment.

The comment abound M&S being “basic” to you reveals a lot.

Do you have your nose stuck in a book and a dreamy, far-off look?

I get this feeling when I return to my home town of Norwich. Everyone giving me side eye.

sorry I’m thinner and more attractive than you are …

But do you wear m&s underwear?!