Staring - know any good comebacks?

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#1 Post by **Saffie** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:46 am

In the past three weeks since I got my braces, I've been getting stared at by a few people. Usually people I know are fine, but strangers sometimes take a good look, and last weekend when my landlady came to check up on some work that's been getting done in the flat, she couldn't seem to look at anything but my mouth when she spoke to me - and she's a high school teacher, so she must see braces all the time.

I'm not looking for sympathy, because this is something that I find slightly irritating rather than deeply upsetting. The reason I'm bring this up is because I want to know what amusing quips and put-downs you've all got for those people who are rude enough to stare at your braces. Whether it's something you said, or something you wish you had said, let's hear it...

#2 Post by **roost22** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:14 am

just a big smile and say "is there a problem". you will see a red face.

#3 Post by **Snowglobe32** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 3:40 pm

How about, "Please stare a bit harder, it will make my braces come off quicker" then of course laugh.

Or how about, "If you are wondering what they feel like, it feels as though someone is hugging my teeth really tight."

#4 Post by **Audra** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:58 pm

I actually don't think that people staring at my braces are being rude. I would rather think they are just curious, so I have no need to have witty quips or put-downs. And at this stage in my journey, I forget I even have them so I don't notice people staring like I did in the beginning anyway. Of course, if someone said something rude or stupid, I'd come up with something of my own, but I haven't had any rude comments like that. My Mother in law did ask me last year if I take them off every night, which I was flabbergasted by. I mean really, can anyone be that far out of the loop? I had to explain to her that they were glued on and that was that.

#5 Post by **haywire** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:45 pm

"well i had sex with your wife"

#6 Post by **UGHBRACES** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 10:56 am

Why does it offend you? They are more than likely just intrigued, because an adult in braces is a rare sight in general.

#7 Post by **uvraise** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 10:51 am

Ask them if they would like a 8 x10 glossy!

#8 Post by **ScottR** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 12:52 pm

They may not be staring to be rude. They may have a real interest in braces. I just say "yes I have braces". I might open the door to an interesting conversation. You could also say "are you considering brace for yourself"?. It might make them self consious of their smile.

#9 Post by **sisi** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 1:04 pm

I try to engage the person with my eyes - i.e. by looking very directly in their eyes. At the same time I try not let it distract me from my own thoughts.

I was caught on a train sitting opposite a colleague recently and she kept staring at my teeth and smiling as though she was amused by the fact that a 36 year old mother would choose to get braces. I considered saying something like "you've noticed my braces" but it irritated me that I should feel compelled, by virtue of her poor manners, to open up a topic of conversation that I really did not want to discuss with her. So I said nothing and tried my best to just ignore her looks.

#10 Post by **mwic1985** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:07 pm

Good comebacks? Well since I have braces I've tried to avoid saying anything likely to get my teeth knocked out by someone

Seriously, no comeback needed. It's natural to stare when you see something a bit different, in fact, now I have braces, I stare even longer at other people with braces just because I'm interested in what type they have etc.

I wouldn't prejudge and assume someone who I believe to be staring at my teeth is thinking something negative, and even if they were, who cares.

#11 Post by **gokix** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:15 am

mwic1985 wrote:Good comebacks? Well since I have braces I've tried to avoid saying anything likely to get my teeth knocked out by someone

Seriously, no comeback needed. It's natural to stare when you see something a bit different, in fact, now I have braces, I stare even longer at other people with braces just because I'm interested in what type they have etc.

Same here. I also catch myself staring at other people's smiles, braced or not, when I'm talking to them.

#12 Post by **Saffie** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 5:52 pm

Sorry, just for the sake of clarity, I was referring to the really extreme examples of staring. I know people are going to look, and yeah it's natural to look at things that are a bit out of the ordinary, but when you can see someone going a bit bug-eyed or craning their neck for a better view it crosses a line. Maybe some of you will think I'm being defensive, but I don't think this is excusable behaviour in an adult, and I'm the kind of person who doesn't mind giving them a reminder about manners (for the record, I also talk back to strange men who think it's okay to make loud comments on my appearance because I'm a woman in a public place).