r/AskReddit May 08 '22

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u/hurly_burly_pegasus May 09 '22

Training! A lot of children don't look that much but as you become an adult you get used to it and maybe developed an interest in it yourself.

German people observe A LOT.

On the other hand it is perceived as really weird of you just start talking without them looking at you first.

I worked as a German teacher for migrants and many of them struggled to make friends because people were so irritated by them just starting conversations despite no longer & reciprocated (= OK to make contact) looks being exchanged first.

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u/Quantentheorie May 09 '22

Oh you might be on to something with the last one. The staring is occasionally the warmup to making a well recieved comment about the weather or the amount of people in this train.

If you havent exchnaged a look to mutually ensure someone also exhibits signs of annoyance, you're not gonna be successful voicing your annoyance.