To think I can’t be the only person who is noticing this (people sneering)

[Want2727]

Always got the odd look in the past but noticed more recently (in the last couple of years or so) some people looking really sneeringly or smirling at me when I walk past them. It is a minority of people but I am noticing it more and more.

Usually women I would say. I dress quite casual even for work as I am a carer in someone’s home but I am never scruffy.
It’s just happened again as I was walking home after work I walk past this women who literary looks me up and down as I approach her and sneers in disgust.

Are other people noticing this or is it just me. Are people just getting more and more rude

The only time I ever had this was when I lived in a tower block on a rough estate in South London in my 20s. If I ever went out without makeup and looking a bit scruffy (leggings and a sweatshirt) some young women would sneer at me openly.

Ignore them. Who cares what strangers think. My dad was a farmer and would go to the shops in his mucky work clothes. My mum used to say at least our money is clean.

Look right back. Scares the shit out of them.

I think you may be seeking external validation for what you think to be the case, OP? So you are only 'clocking' the people who are reinforcing what you are looking for...

I wonder are you a smoker OP. I ask because I don’t really notice how other people look (unless they are stunning) but I really dislike the smell of smoke on someone and am very occasionally taken aback if someone who smells like that is close by. Obviously I don’t intentionally pull a face but I am sure that sometimes my dislike of the smell might momentarily show and could well be seen as a sneer.

Before anyone tells me to mind my manners, I repeat it is only an occasional thing and would be a fleeting change of expression that would only be picked up by someone sensitive or perceptive as the OP obviously is.

Are you sure they aren't just doing a polite half smile at you?

I really doubt loads of random people are sneering at you, you're probably just self conscious and it's making you a bit paranoid.

I’ve just remembered - there’s another woman at work I dislike and sneer at too. This second one is completely normal-looking really, so God knows what she makes of it. I like to think it leaves her slightly perplexed and unsettled - but possibly she doesn’t notice (or just thinks I’m a bit mental......) Still, I enjoy it and have no intention of stopping.

This is bizzare behaviour. The poor woman probably spends a lot of mental energy wondering wtf she's done too you to make you hate her so much. Why is this fun to you?

Agree about the "resting bitch face", which may be the issue with these alleged sneerers. Friend of mine has a "resting miserable face" and is sick and tired of men (always men) shouting at her to "cheer up love" when she is perfectly happy.

I don’t recall this happening to me even once. But I don’t think I look at people all that much! If I catch eye contact at the same time as someone I usually smile but don’t really wait for the same in return.

Agree that maybe it is a case of resting bitch face from those you are encountering.

@tinyvulture how pathetically immature your behaviour is.

I often smile at people (it is automatic tbh) but my smile can sometimes look a bit sneery, it's just the way my face is 🤷‍♀️

I'm blaming Brexit. I think it's fear based
People sneer more when they see poor people (if you're very scruffy people automatically think you're poorer than them) as they're afraid of being poor themselves.

There's a study in there ^^ somewhere

My mum swears people always look at her dirtily and they never are.

There might be the odd occasion when some wanker has a look but it's not that common. I certainly have never experienced this.

It's just about confidence and feeling you're not good enough.

Not sneered at, as I am not worth a second glance, or in most cases apparently not even a first one, because I often get barged out of the way by women.

Rudeness seems to be normal now, and I am always surprised these days if someone is pleasant, which is rather sad.

Quim because depending of where you live, you have ‘rules’.
So I might not be saying anything rude or crazy but it’s out the norms for where I live and therefore noticeable and enough ‘to be sneered at’ (which my friend confirmed so it wasn’t in my head iyswim).
Saying the same thing wouldn’t cause any issue in another place ime (eg in London!)

It’s the same with the way you dress. Most people around me are using the same shops again and again (eg Fat face etc...). Come with something different and it stands out (eg something from Boden would elicit ) let alone the day I decided to wear a hat —that looked like a slightly fancy wooly hat rather than a proper fancy hat—.

That's not very nice! I haven't noticed this myself. I always feel I'm invisible when I go out which I actually find reassuring as I sometimes feel I look a mess.

When people look at me I always think it's because I'm looking so fab! Then I catch a glimpse of myself and realise....
But really... I think you can be pretty sure no one is really sneering at you. Try and build your confidence! Challenge those negative thoughts!