Surprise: women stare more at women than men

04 December, 2012

It might come as a surprise that women actually look at other women more than they look at men. This was seen in a recent study in which volunteers were asked to look at various images from different films, such as the last scene from 'Love Actually' and 'Breakfast in Tiffany'.

IN A recent study of the Bristol University, a research team has found that it is the fairer sex that is more likely to ogle at another lady than men. Trying to understand the psyche of the act, this citizen journalist tried asking a number of ladies whether it was true and whether they stare at women more than men.

Poulomi Mukherjee (name changed), mother-of-one says, “When I take my daughter to the park, I do look at other ladies, as to what they deem fashionable. Being from an affluent neighborhood, I find fashion tips from these ladies far more than I can ever come across in any magazine. Not only that, I also check out other small kids and what they are wearing so that I can buy the same for my little girl.”

So is it only about fashion? All this hoopla over just a few clothes doesn't seem right. And it is not right or so as Alekhya Bolla says. According to her it is more than just fashion. It is the primal jealousy that every X chromosome individual has. The same desire that the wicked queen in Snow white had- 'to look the fairest of all,' is what drives these scrutinies by us.

The university tested their theory by asking volunteers to look at various images from different films such as the last scene from Love Actually and Breakfast in Tiffany. They found that women spent 61 percent of the time looking at women and 39 percent on the men.

Felix Mercer Mos, a computer science PhD student, who led the study, says “This is counter-intuitive from a sexual perspective if you are thinking about desire, but it’s not surprising if you look at it in terms of sexual competition.”

Although, in India no one would actually admit to the same, many a time one must have noticed that women preen in a reception party, or play with their hair while talking to another friend- the reason being a subtle hint about their sexual power.

Admitting to the fact, a friend, Geeta (named changed) says, “When we have college reunions, it is bad as girls are busy checking out each other's outfits and who is wearing which brand to garner what they or their respective partners are making finance wise. The fact that I studied in a all girls college, makes it even worse as half the time is wasted on giving hints that one is superior to other if they are wearing a Prada or Gucci. This charade goes on at every meet.”

However, in all the affirmative voices I found Kanika, who said, “I have my own mind and I don't need to check out other women for God's sake. Duniya ke saare ladke mar gaye hain kya.” Whether she was trying to play it cool or not, it seems that majority of the women do look at other women for various reasons.