zengirl Posted April 18, 2012 Posted April 18, 2012 In two threads today, I've seen (and even said) the word "creepy" may be overused in dating contexts. Then, I looked it up, and I realized it had a secondary definition that said, "Annoyingly unpleasant." That's such a mild phrase, really. I'm starting to get why it's over applied. How can you not over apply that? What is annoyingly unpleasant to one may be fine to another, after all. I mean. . . the smell of eggs is annoyingly unpleasant to me, but I'd feel odd calling it "creepy" for instance. Anyway, I just wanted your thoughts on the word in a dating context. What would something have to be to justify the word "creepy" in your opinion? Examples or personal definitions or expansions on dictionary definitions are welcome.
dasein Posted April 18, 2012 Posted April 18, 2012 "Creepy" is anything a man one finds unattractive does (tie his shoes for example), something a man one finds attractive does rarely, and something super-hot guys are totally incapable of doing up until the point he's actually hidden in her closet wearing a hockey mask and nothing else. 2
ThaWholigan Posted April 18, 2012 Posted April 18, 2012 In two threads today, I've seen (and even said) the word "creepy" may be overused in dating contexts. Then, I looked it up, and I realized it had a secondary definition that said, "Annoyingly unpleasant." That's such a mild phrase, really. I'm starting to get why it's over applied. How can you not over apply that? What is annoyingly unpleasant to one may be fine to another, after all. I mean. . . the smell of eggs is annoyingly unpleasant to me, but I'd feel odd calling it "creepy" for instance. Anyway, I just wanted your thoughts on the word in a dating context. What would something have to be to justify the word "creepy" in your opinion? Examples or personal definitions or expansions on dictionary definitions are welcome. I saw a dude follow a girl around in a circle in a club once without saying a word to her. That's creepy . She didn't seem phased, just kinda made fun of him and moved away with her friends. The creepiest thing a girl has ever done to me is stare at my face without blinking or looking away. Without smiling either . Didn't like that at all. 2
NYC-BigKat Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 I saw a dude follow a girl around in a circle in a club once without saying a word to her. That's creepy . She didn't seem phased, just kinda made fun of him and moved away with her friends. The creepiest thing a girl has ever done to me is stare at my face without blinking or looking away. Without smiling either . Didn't like that at all. I had a girl do that to me once in hs. Why do u think a girl would do that?
Author zengirl Posted April 19, 2012 Author Posted April 19, 2012 "Creepy" is anything a man one finds unattractive does (tie his shoes for example), something a man one finds attractive does rarely, and something super-hot guys are totally incapable of doing up until the point he's actually hidden in her closet wearing a hockey mask and nothing else. I've heard women called creepy too. Feel free to speculate on creepy female behavior, if you like, as TW did.
ptp Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 I am not sure how it happened, but somewhere along the lines creepy just became unattractive. For example, if an attractive guy approaches a woman and says: "blah blah blah". She will perceive it as confident, funny and witty. Unattractive guy says the same "blah blah blah", he is creepy. Guys do a similar thing. When a girl who is smoking hot is wearing next to nothing, she is "fine", but if that girl rejects the guy, "she looks so s***tty in those clothes. I have seen "creepy" used from the other perspective, meaning female friends or female family members saying it in regards to another guy. So personally, it has been detrimental, because instead of approaching a random women and being thought of as creepy, I would rather not approach at all. That isn't to say some dudes don't deserve it. There have definitely been times when I have said "that dude is creepy". However, when I use it, it is for a guy who has stalkerish tendencies. So basically, I am okay with it being used, as long as nobody is calling me creepy.
dasein Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 Have never called nor heard a woman's behavior termed "creepy" by a guy. "Desperate," "clingy," "stalky," "weird," yes, "creepy" no. I'm sure it has been though, it's become so ingrained, just never heard it myself. "Creepy" is simply the new term for focusing on the lowest common denominator of male behavior, trickled down from biased media sources, including those on the net, into common usage. It's equivalent to the term "bitchy" used to describe certain behavior, just with more criminal, sinister connotation and more currently overused.
Author zengirl Posted April 19, 2012 Author Posted April 19, 2012 Have never called nor heard a woman's behavior termed "creepy" by a guy. "Desperate," "clingy," "stalky," "weird," yes, "creepy" no. I'm sure it has been though, it's become so ingrained, just never heard it myself. "Creepy" is simply the new term for focusing on the lowest common denominator of male behavior, trickled down from biased media sources, including those on the net, into common usage. It's equivalent to the term "bitchy" used to describe certain behavior, just with more criminal connotation and more currently overused. Well, hubby definitely uses the word creepy to describe men and women, as do many men I know.
yongyong Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 So this coffee shop has a booth and table. People prefer booth for studying. I was sitting at the table since booth was all taken. This old man walked (I am a guy) 20 feet to tell me 'there is a booth available' (it was next to his) Yes, when you read this, you can't find anything wrong. But when I heard his voice tone and saw his face. it creeped the fxck out of me. I think he is a fxckin gay. ( I am saying this because he checks me out every time I go there. I am ok with gays who leave straight guys alone) so being creepy is about your body language, voice tone, facial expression, words you use etc
threebyfate Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 Creepy triggers the skin crawling reaction. It's linked to the fight/flight instinct. As far as trying to create a universal definition of "creepy", good luck. Nurture has substantial impact on what triggers each person's skin to crawl. As far as creepy in terms of biological gender reaction, it's no surprise that men aren't creeped out as easily as women since the average man is generally larger and stronger than the average woman. Fight/flight won't kick in as easily when women invade personal space or get too familiar with men since most often, men have no physical concerns about women. 1
USMCHokie Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 In the social construct, I define creepy as any kind of advance or even gesture by someone whom the recipient finds unattractive. Therefore, if you find someone attractive, advances would be welcome and any uncanny behavior would be labeled "funny"...not creepy. 1
threebyfate Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 In the social construct, I define creepy as any kind of advance or even gesture by someone whom the recipient finds unattractive. Therefore, if you find someone attractive, advances would be welcome and any uncanny behavior would be labeled "funny"...not creepy.It's not as simple as not being attracted. It depends on how someone you're not interested in, advances. As an example, someone you're not interested in starts paying you sexual compliments like "nice ass", etc or while in convo, appears to be talking to your breasts. Both of these are way too familiar for someone you don't have reciprocated interest in. Imagine this type of scenario when first meeting a stranger, on a first date or from friends. Ew!
fortyninethousand322 Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 Some of my friends went to high school with a guy who's a registered sex offender. Occasionally he'll "coincidentally" show up when we're playing basketball at the park (they never invite him and they're not even friends with him) to say hi to everyone. Supposedly he's married (arranged marriage) but whenever he shows up it's always with a different woman hanging on his arm (none of whom are his wife) and he's always dressed like he's headed out to a fancy restaurant or a wedding. This is a type of behavior that I would deem "creepy". Although, one should note it's not enough to keep the girls away.
USMCHokie Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 It's not as simple as not being attracted. It depends on how someone you're not interested in, advances. As an example, someone you're not interested in starts paying you sexual compliments like "nice ass", etc or while in convo, appears to be talking to your breasts. Both of these are way too familiar for someone you don't have reciprocated interest in. Imagine this type of scenario when first meeting a stranger, on a first date or from friends. Ew! Fair enough. I was thinking more simple advances and not borderline harassment... But yes, those examples would certainly create some degree of discomfort regardless of the actor.
lino Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 I've neither called nor considered anyone as creepy. Whether they be woman or man but I guess that word isn't used here really... Possibly only by wannabees emulating what they saw on American tv. I've only seen it used in American media and readily on this messageboard, virtually always directed at a male.
threebyfate Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 I've neither called nor considered anyone as creepy. Whether they be woman or man but I guess that word isn't used here really... Possibly only by wannabees emulating what they saw on American tv. I've only seen it used in American media and readily on this messageboard, virtually always directed at a male.So there are no aussie men who stare at women's breasts while talking to them? Down goes my b/s flag. From what I've been given to understand, the Aussie social climate is pretty sexist.
dasein Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 So there are no aussie men who stare at women's breasts while talking to them? Down goes my b/s flag. From what I've been given to understand, the Aussie social climate is pretty sexist. What on earth does that have to do with the use of the word "creepy" in a given culture or area? He didn't say men in Aus don't ever act in sexist ways did he? I have no problem believing it's mostly an American usage, as infantile and childish as our population is compared to elsewhere. Frankly it's the same as hearing "gnarly dude" or "rad" or "fo shizzle" when I hear it.
lino Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 What?!? I didn't say anything about staring at tits, I said the word 'creepy' isn't commonly used here. I'd imagine nice breasts are stared at the world over.
lino Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 Also, I'd consider Australia be considerably less sexist than a lot of other countries I've visited. Definitely much less so than my native country! I've not yet been to America yet so can't compare here to there in terms of sexism.
RachR Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 The creepiest thing a girl has ever done to me is stare at my face without blinking or looking away. Without smiling either . Didn't like that at all. I'm guilty of this. I've done it when I was really attracted but nervous and shy, too.
eleanorhurting Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 i started a creepy thread a while back and i bowed never to use the word creepy irresponsibly again.
ThaWholigan Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 I'm guilty of this. I've done it when I was really attracted but nervous and shy, too. it was a little disturbing, like I just killed her cat or some ****. At the time, I was really bad at gauging whether someone was attracted to me. She had quite nice eyes though, but they were really bright and large. I do like girl's eyes though
mesmerized Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 I honestly don't get why men are so butt hurt over people using the word creepy. There are tons of bad words used for women too. If you don't want to be called creepy, don't do creepy things. Don't stare at a random woman's breasts with your mouth open! Don't be a 50 years old at a place where there are a lot of teenagers hanging out...etc etc. I've rarely heard women or men using it for something that is not really "creepy". Of course some people might misuse it but I've rarely seen that happening myself. 3
dasein Posted April 19, 2012 Posted April 19, 2012 If you don't want to be called ________, don't do ______ things. How do "bitchy" and "slutty" sound in those blanks to you? Are women "butthurt" for finding those terms generally objectionable?
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