Staring at people who are mentally disabled?

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I really hate seeing people stare and judge a person who has an obvious neurological disability or some other neurological condition. When a person is with a parent or carer, and has something like autism or mental retardation or Alzheimer's or anything like that, I know that they are harmless and I don't like to stare. Even if the person doesn't know you are staring, it's still not nice for the parents or carers who are with them. I mean, for Christ sake, it's not rocket science to figure out something obvious like this.

However, if a person is acting weird, like creepy or like they're about to do something dangerous or commit a crime, then I might look, just to be aware for my safety. Sometimes you can come across a weird person who is high on drugs or drink, or a criminal or something, then that's different.
OK I must admit, some people with severe Schitzephrenia sometimes frighten me. I once witnessed a woman in a park, angrily shouting profanity at children but was laughing hysterically as well, and I heard she was Schitzephrenic. People were staring because nobody knew what she was going to do next.

But an autistic person or a person with other neurological conditions like that are harmless and I wouldn't even mind them being near my kids if I had any. I hate seeing people stare and judge a person with a disability like that.

Anyone agree?

I agree. I find it hard to get it right because if I look at someone like that how do I tell if my look is "neutral" or "sympathetic" as opposed to staring. Because naturally if you are going to interact with them or talk to them it would involve some looking...

I also try not to stare at folk who are "odd" in some way - for example excessive tattoos or blue hair - because although I don't mind any of it how can I tell whether they think I'm admiring them or judging them?

Indeed we need to be observant though because a person who's behaving in a certain furtive way may turn out to be one of these extremists who is planning a killing spree - and so we need to be aware of such potential creepiness or evil. It would be people who are actually quite ordinary looking. Because we should not judge by appearances but by behaviour.

I am that person I'm a big guy with excessive tattoos and blue hair and I get stared at a lot and expect it , I get compliments as well but never can tell it they're taking the piss or not. I use my look as a way of coping with social anxiety as in my mind people are judging me on a superficial level not the real me disguised underneath which makes it easier for me to go out do stuff.

Yeah I sort of agree but I'm a hypocrite because I do it. I know it's not quite the same but If someone was to walk down the street and had a large birth mark or disfigurement to their face it draws my eyes in and I find it difficult not to stare but am instantly conscious of staring and stop because I don't want to upset the person - instant awkwardness then guilt

Well some people don't even feel guilty for staring. I've seen people laugh at mentally disabled people before. I don't agree with that at all. I can tell the difference between a sympathetic or curious stare and a judgmental stare.

When there's a person with an obvious neurological "problem," I tend to want to talk to them, communicate with them. I'm curious about them, yet I want to see a person smile.

I was on a cruise once. There was this woman who was in a wheelchair and can barely move. I don't know if she was "mentally disabled" or not. I went over and shook her hand. She had such a nice smile when I did that. That made my day. I wanted to talk more to her and her mother--but I was with somebody else at the time.

I agree with everything you said. It hurts me when people laugh at those who have disabilities, because I experienced it myself. On the other hand, if you feel as though you are in physical danger, that's a different story.

I got hassled for staring at people as a kid. Usually, I was just carelessly staring into space, probably with a sequence of expressions playing across my face. It was a habit I needed to modify. Find an okay place to stare before zoning out.

It seems like people usually consider staring rude, but usually the people stared at have lower social status.

People like to examine fascinating, unique human specimens, but treating people with respect should take priority.

I am interested in helping people with disabilities or those who feel different for some reason.

I'm interested, too. I'm interested in helping myself, too. I am, after all, disabled to some extent.

Obviously I only know you from here but the only disability I see in you is your too nice , and nice people often get taken advantage of.

I try to make a point of not looking at people too long, or staring at them. I get stared at a fair bit and it makes me so uncomfortable, mainly because I don't know why the person is staring; I don't want to do that to anyone else.

Sometimes when we're out, my mum will say 'look at that girl's hair', 'I love that girl's dress', etc.. It's only ever meant in a positive way, but I refuse to look because they don't know I'm admiring their outfit. I could be making them feel really self-conscious or uncomfortable. Of course, maybe other people take being looked at much better than I do . But you know lol, just in case.

Not if they have a minder they don't.
Anybody messes with Kraftie, they'll have me to deal with .

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