“Looky-loos” are people who indulge their curiosity by observing their surroundings, sometimes to the point of being obnoxious or dangerous. They can be found in nearly every culture and can be irritating to entrepreneurs and disruptive to communities. Some stores enforce a “no looky-loos” policy, while some communities welcome curious visitors with guided tours.
The term “looky-loos” is used to refer both to the desire to look around and to the people who indulge this desire. In other words, one could say “that lady has a bad case of nonsense” in reference to a woman who scrutinizes a traffic accident, or “we should raise some curtains to discourage whores”. Other terms that mean much the same thing include “rubbernecking” and “gawking.”
People are naturally curious creatures, so it’s perhaps no surprise that looky-loos can be found in nearly every culture. The eye is naturally drawn to changes in the environment, especially when such changes are accompanied by a flurry of activity, as in the case of traffic accidents, and people are also often curious about foreign environments. Many adult stores, for example, have a lot of traffic of people in looky-loos who are just curious about the products they carry.
Depending on the situation, looky-loos can be harmless, obnoxious, or potentially dangerous. For example, curious bystanders can interfere with the control of a dangerous situation, such as an accident that requires the attention of first responders and emergency services personnel. People with looky-loos may be less attentive to things like looking both ways before crossing the street, or keeping an eye on the road while driving, and could potentially cause accidents or injure themselves while indulging their curiosity.
For entrepreneurs who run establishments that attract the curious, visitors who are just there to shop around can be irritating and can potentially put off legitimate customers. In fact, some stores specifically enforce a “no looky-loos” policy, only asking people in if they’re serious customers, so that repeat customers feel more comfortable shopping. These policies are especially common in establishments that stock unusual or potentially embarrassing items, to assure customers that their shopping habits will not be exposed.
Some communities, such as the Amish and other traditional societies, may also find it difficult to cope with looky-loos. While curious visitors can sometimes support a community, they can also interfere with the daily activities of residents. Citizens of Amish communities, for example, often express frustration with visitors who make requests that disrupt their workdays or expressions of religious faith. In some regions, the community may welcome the curious with guided tours that allow people to see what life is like in the community without causing disruption.
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