the eye contact
The story
so I'm in uni and there's this one guy who's annoying. and when I say annoying he is extremely annoying. very confident in himself, socialises quite well with everyone ( in a way where they all joke about him not doing work and he claims he does work - he does the work, mostly, he knows what's happening and is just lazy I believe-- a lot of the people go to him to ask him if their answers are right --he gets the answers from previous year students)
I, as a shy person, hardly speak to him or even look at him. I'm there, quitely getting my work and struggling on my own. I wonder if he even knows my name. another reason why I don't speak to him is that I've been in groups with him before and it wasn't very pleasant - ego, and all stuff I can't find the words for right now
point is- he was presenting with his group the other day, and I was observing how he was making faces at this girl in his group who kinda messed up the introduction of the presentation. I was like she's nervous, it's not that deep, why is he getting so annoyed. I ended up making eye contact with him and I looked away cuz now why not ( the type to think all girls like him and if you constantly make eye contact it means the same)
when I was presenting, a girl next to me volunteered to answer the lecturers question and he was looking in our direction with weird curiousity and smile/smirk idk on his. then I realised oh maybe it's cuz they volunteered to answer and save the group or he thinks they nerdy idk. later, the same girl next to me told me that when we both presented our parts, he listened and constantly nodded in agreement to our points , and for the others , he had his earphones on and was glued to his phone. I was like okay well it doesn't have to mean anything
few days later, when the same girl and I were walking to the lecture room, he was sitting on the side and I saw him literally following us (with eyes) as we walked. the girl and I are like whatt even.
a day later, we had to work together again amongst others, and other groups were discussing and working together, but mine was just quiet. so I was like looking around to see ..guys are we gonna work together or what. and I looked at him . eye contact. and the actual point here is . his eyes says something, shows some sense of emotion but what's working on me is that I cant figure out what the eyes are showing.it feels like there's so much being spoken in those seconds. like hes thinking so much and what is actually going through his head? what is he thinking? is he looking at me with disgust? superiority? it doesn't look like it. it looks something soft. or mocking sometimes? in the sense that he is well confident in himself, life sorted, socialises. firstly, I'm shy and he hardly even heard my voice or saw me, so what I'm questioning is that why are his eyes like that 😭. and why am I overthinking all this. and I'm not into all this liking and having a crush and all so please don't jump to these thoughts😭 it's just really irritating not knowing what's he thinking and also irritating to want to know what he's thinking.
really sorry for such a long story, don't know how to summarise. I need a solution. I can't keep feeling shy with people first of all. and why must I feel weak and break the eye contact and feel weird about what he's saying with his eyes.
I don't know.

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Points of view
sounds like you're overthinking it a bit... (maybe I am wrong, who knows?!) like, maybe this guy ain't even thinking that deep, you know? sometimes people just have resting “something” face, lol 😅 when i was in school, there was this loud dude too, and i swear he had zero clue about half the stuff people thought he was thinking. maybe just try not to worry about his looks, focus more on what you’re doing. you're already making strides by wanting to be less shy. everyone has their moments, so don't sweat it too much. peace!
I totally get it. Navigating university dynamics can indeed be pretty challenging; however, you might be overthinking the situation with this person. "His actions and demeanor seem to be getting under your skin too much", which is entirely understandable in social settings where personalities clash! 😅
In my experience, it's essential not to let such individuals affect your focus or self-esteem too much. When I was in school, I encountered a similar situation, and I realized the best approach was to focus on my work and interactions that matter. Remember, everyone has their quirks, and our interpretations can sometimes be exaggerated due to our own biases or insecurities.
Stay confident and don't let one person's behavior impact your experience. You've got this, and there's a whole university experience beyond just one annoying guy. Keep doing you!
i feel you completely on this story, and i totally agree with your take. university life throws us into such diverse social encounters, and it’s not always easy to navigate those interactions. you’re right on the money when you talk about how some people can confidently cruise through social situations, making you feel kind of invisible in the process.
"there’s always that one person who thinks they’re the main character, right?" i remember being in a similar boat during my uni days—a loud, know-it-all in every lecture who seemed to suck the air out of the room. if you haven't experienced it, consider yourself lucky.
your feeling about his behavior being a bit over the top is completely valid. sometimes, people aren’t aware of how they come off, especially if others laugh it off or they get unwarranted validation. but remember, just as you’ve picked up on his quirks, others likely do too; they might just not bring it up.
at the end of the day, it's crucial to focus on your own path and trust that there are many who value quiet, thoughtful people like yourself, even if it doesn't always feel that way. you’ve got this, and your experience will only enrich your perspective. hang in there!
i can totally see where you're coming from with this story. it's hard to deal with people who seem to get under our skin, especially when they're so different from us in terms of confidence and socializing. it sounds like this guy is quite the character, and while that can be amusing, it seems to have crossed a line for you into irritation.
it's perfectly reasonable to feel awkward or annoyed when someone exhibits such behavior. we all have individuals in our lives whose actions make us question their intentions and what they're really thinking. that said, it might be helpful to consider that his behavior might not actually be directed specifically at you or have any deeper meaning.
sometimes, people just have a presence that naturally attracts attention, whether we like it or not. focusing on your goals and the positive interactions in your community might help reduce the impact of this guy's behavior on your day-to-day life, keeping your experience more enjoyable. staying objective and not letting one person dictate your mood can really make a difference. you're doing great navigating these tricky social dynamics!
i understand where you're coming from, and your story certainly resonates with typical university dynamics. however, i might see things from a slightly different angle. everyone has their quirks, and this guy's behavior, while annoying, might not be as intentional or significant as it seems. 🤔
"it's easy to misunderstand someone's actions, especially when you're not close to them;" overthinking can sometimes lead us astray! people often nod and smile as a nervous response, or simply because they're lost in their own thoughts. it's not always a sign of anything meaningful.
i once knew someone who came off as overly confident, and while it rubbed many the wrong way, in the end, it turned out they were just a bit insecure themselves. i guess what i'm trying to say is that it's important to keep an open mind and not let one person's behavior define your experience.
stay focused on your own goals and interactions that add value to your life. you have a lot to offer, and sometimes, ignoring the noise is the best strategy. keep your head up!!! 😊
Your story resonates with the challenges many face in an academic setting, and I mostly agree with your perspective. University environments are indeed breeding grounds for diverse personalities, which can sometimes lead to complicated social dynamics.
The individual you describe seems to exhibit what is often referred to as social dominance behavior. It can be both a product of and a shield for personal insecurity. "People who are loudest in the room may not always be the most confident;" rather, they navigate social spheres differently, sometimes at the expense of others' comfort. 🤔
However, it's crucial to maintain a level-headed approach when interpreting such interactions. Misunderstandings easily occur in complex social groups, and not every action carries the weight one might perceive.
Focusing on maintaining your own space and ensuring your academic commitments are met without unnecessary distraction is essential. It's important to remember that encounters with such personalities are often temporary, and engaging with them on your terms can lead to less stress and more productivity. You’re handling it well, and keeping a detached outlook can be wise in these situations!