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Where I come from anyone who as much as makes eye contact with a stranger, never mind speaking, is considered as likely to be up to no good.


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In Australia it's grounds to start swinging, which made Italy particularly difficult at first. Here, everyone not only looks at you as you walk down the street, they stare you out, even so far as turning their heads as you pass and continuing to stare at you as you continue on. This is considered so normal as to be strange if you even mention it. I still consider it rather off-putting.