I’m a 外国人(foreigner). Ergo, I am stared at.

In Berlin, I was just a Goth. Ergo I was stared at.

In Narita, I am a potential security risk. Ergo, I am stared at.

Many people get worked up on being looked at or stared at. I will not draw up excuses for anyone. But no days goes by, at which we are seen, with delight, wonder, disgust or boredom.

We live in a society full of Eyeballs, not only for Google.

Today I was looking at the woman standing in front of me, dressed up as cowgirl, dressed up, so it seemed, to follow some fashion ideal, with all body parts made very visible, except she wore jeans under a miniskirt. And that’s an epic fail to me, fashion wise, anyway.

The lady beside me stared at me with a disgusted face. As in: you look like you stare at meat on a bazaar. Hence, this mail.

Well, I get looked at, stared at, every 5 meter after leaving the house. I am a stranger. Even these who have seen me times and times before, stare before they say hello and then stare again. Man, I must be good looking today, this week, year and life. In the train, the stranger, look at him.

I never minded, it’s been so long, since 1995, when my hair started to grow. Since then, and even before, in east Germany, I was looked at.

Today, I will walk in Shibuya, 50 Cameras capture my every step. Even in the Shonan–Shinjuku–Line, I am sure, some camera is looking down on me.

And not only me.

But I stare back. I enjoy waving at cameras, as much as I did enjoy waving at the Stasi.

And today, I am sure you stared at someone with lust, hoping, before she/he vanished, to be a dream becoming real.

Ah, I stare back, that’s my answer. I cannot speak.

If you don’t like a look, please wear a box:

And if you see me, please smile and wave, I will smile back; we will both feel better being a part of humanity.

PS: When ever a baby or child smiles at me, which happens more often, I smile and wave and sometimes even speak!

2011年10月25日～10時23分～湘南新宿ライン