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male
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anonymous
writes: I've spent my entire life hoping to find my girlfriend and feel like the luckiest man on the planet having found my one true love. We were to be married last Saturday but she called it off a while back. We're still together and hoping that one day we'll marry.Here's the problem. It's all my fault. I've never been a cheater. I'm not a bad guy. Really. However, somewhere along the road in this life, I've apparently developed a habit of ogling women. And I'm doing it while we're together in public.She says it's disrespectful and I could not agree more. Ogling women is just flat-out wrong. And disrepecting her is the LAST thing I want to do. I want the world to know how proud I am to be with her. I want the world to see our love and say, "Wow, would ya look at that." She's everything to me and I absolutely adore her.It's dumbfounded me that I've done this, and in talking to people that have known me for a long time (I'm 36), they've never seen me do this. I'm really a good guy. However, I accept responsibility that I'm doing it. I just want to know how to fix it. I want to know how to get it out of my system and just be done with it. I'm trying all possible avenues; I've seen a couple of psychiatrists and am following up.The thing is, my girlfriend tells me I'm doing it after the fact and I don't even know what's happened or what I saw. How do I stop doing this?? I'm not a bad guy; I've apparently just developed a really bad habit over time and I don't want to do this. She's everything to me and I can't stand the thought of losing my one true love because of something stupid that I can fix.Help! Reply to this Question |
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reader, anonymous, writes (20 April 2008): I am 68 years old, white-haired and therefore not exactly of an age where I am likely to spark immediate interest and response from passing women. I have never in my life, up to now, been accused of ogling females. To be accused of it I find not just insulting but disgusting as well. My partner and I have been together for just over two years although we have known each other for more than 45. I thought that we had discovered in one another an almost idyllic companion in our later years. There was only one small incident very early in our relationship which, at the time, I laughed about: I went out to collect the morning paper when staying with friends in the country. For some reason I was delayed and, instead of taking ten or fifteen minutes, I took about thirty. When I got back I found her in an uproar that I had been engaged in an assignation with an old girlfriend. Please understand that I had been living abroad for more than 30 years and returned to this country after suffering severe injuries in an accident. It was after we moved in together that, one day, out of the blue, she asked my if I would mind not looking at other girls in an amorous way ... I should try to be more 'avuncular' was the word used. I was amazed I had no idea what she meant. Since then the whole matter has become progressively worse until today our relationship hangs by a thread. I am devoted to her and am more than grateful for all that she has done for me since my return to England in 2005. But I cannot stand being continuously accused of something that I am perfectly certain I am not doing. It has come to the stage where she tells me beforehand not to 'ogle' some female or other, and so I make a definite point of not looking at that person but, after the meal or whatever the situation has been, I am STILL accused of eyeing this female even though I have made a conscious effort not to look at her and to avoid all eye contact of any sort. I want to say, repeating what another replier has already said, I am not a 'bad guy' and I would never knowingly hurt my partner, but we seem to be coming to an inevitable parting that neither of us wants. I cannot stop doing what I am not doing ... but she is equally adamant that I am doing it! All I can conclude that I must be doing something that she mistakes for ogling when I am not. It has got to the stage where if I look up because someone walks past then I can feel her accusing eyes upon me. In the dark the other night, she was driving when a car drew up close beside us at some traffic lights for no more than a couple of seconds. The fact that I made some remark about that 'woman driver' produced another tirade that 'of COURSE you would notice that it was a woman' etc etc. All I can conclude is that I must be doing something that,to her, translates as my ogling but, mostly, her certainty is validated by the way she 'knows' how women react when they are being watched. We were in a small plane the other day, I was sitting in the window seat when two oriental teenagers, giggling to each other, changed their seats while we were in the air and came and sat in the row in front of us so, presumably, that they could look out of the window. After we landed I was accused of having leered at them so that, on purpose, they came over to be closer to me. As I said at the beginning I am nearly 70 years old! Young girls do not go chasing after old men ESPECIALLY if he leers at them. If anyone can come up with some advice as to a solution to our problem I would be truly grateful because I love my partner dearly and would not hurt her for the world, but this insanity cannot continue.
A
female
reader, twiga  +, writes (18 April 2008):
I think that 17th Nov 2007 was correct. The sexual thrill of the eye contact with a stranger is addictive. Try teaching yourself to look women flat in the face, like a sister, instead of eye-contacting them. Look up. Clear your eyes.
Each time you do it, it is a little easier the next time.
Also, look into your girlfriends eyes, give and get thrills with her, across a room, and so on. Tell her looking into her eyes gives you a better thrill. It does, after all.
Tell us if this works, please.
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A
female
reader, twiga +, writes (18 April 2008):
I am struggling to find a way to stay with my companion in spite of his ogling amorous looks at any woman in his sights.
All the things I read in this column tie in with my experience - this is the third ogler I have dated, but this man was my dream come true, until this nightmare situation.
At home all is more than fine, but the moment we are out of the door....
What no-one has mentioned is the effect even the oldest ogler has on other women. They come and hover, they send their children over to play close, they ogle back, use attention-seeking behaviour, talk loudly, giggle, twiddle their hair and so on.
One woman all but pushed me out of her way to get to him in a department store.
And for the letter-writers who are good looking,remember, this is a more worthwhile victory for our deluded sisters..
I feel like printing up a t-shirt with 'My man is an ogler - please ignore' on it, but perhaps that will only make them worse, make it more of a challenge.
I too no longer wish to drive or walk or go to parties with him. It tears me up. The electricity between us fizzles out,
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (26 January 2008): Listen, How many men are anwsering this question? I'll tell all women who look at this write to it. Every man looks at other women- period. It is driven by the same need to have sex or to hit someone when you are mad, to cry when your sad. Now what separates us from a bunch of monkeys in the trees is the fact of conscience.That is the choice we make to not swing our fist at someone just because we are mad and not engage in sex with every one we are attracted to.That is the true sign of love. Listen man, if your girlfriend leaves because you look at other women from time to time, she is going to be a very unhappy person because every guy does it. Women are not typically driven by the same libido man have, and the one who do - look too. I mean how many women look at Brad Pitt and don't fantize, is that any different? I think the answer your looking for is to be honest with your partner. Tell her you look but she is the one you choose to love and be with, not only because you find her sexy but also because of who she is, tell her you love her companionship and relationships are hard work. Relationships take lots of time and effort, and just because a girl catches your eye from time to time, that is a lot different then creating what you both have together. Reassure her that she is the one for you, if that is not enough for her then maybe you need to take a look at your relationship- because if she still does not understand it, I think it has much more to do with her insecurity than anything. Relationships are hard and they are not about meeting your sole mate and riding off into the sunset in bliss. They are based on TRUST! Forcing yourself to hide your drives, is way more of a lie to her then to have a conversation about them.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (26 July 2007): Try reading the book- Every Man's Battle That should help! and give you an understanding of how powerful your actions can be... you have hurt your girls spirit at this point.. and you can make it better hopefully... if you make a decision to...
The new man I am dating checked out this woman last night in front of me at least four times... it hurt inside to watch it and know that I am also very attractive and he was so disrespectful to me...giving her that much power between us.... it ruined the night because although I said nothing to him...I was not as nice as I usually am and I didn't care at that point... he knew I was upset.. and didn't address it...I may be looking for a new dating partner who can control his poor behavior! We shall see if it continues...and yes, I will recommend the book to him as well.... ;) I deserve to be the "focus" of him...not some stranger walking down the street....
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (30 October 2006): I have been searching the web for awhile now to find help for this exact problem. The situation you describe is almost exactly where I'm at. I am admitting that I do glance at other women (I really don't think it classifies as ogling but that really doesn't matter. It is still hurtful). I want to stop. Have you found anything that helps? I'm open to anything. I'm starting counseling, but seriously would consider other options... Shock therapy??
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (28 October 2006): I have been married for 18 years, we have 3 children, but if I see a lovely lady walking down, of course I am going to look at her, it does not mean that I want to bed her or have some sought of relationship with her. But you must ask yourself a question.. why do women wear short skirts, why do women put make up on, it is to get attention.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (19 August 2005): Thanks for the responses so far. I think I've made a mistake in posting this here, though. Charliesgirl, you were insightful in your assessment; it is imagined, at least *sometimes*. The other times, I still don't know I do it. And THAT'S the problem I need help with. There have been two instances which I've never even been told what they were. And there's been at least two instances that have been dismissed by her; one she conceded that it was imagined when the absurdity of it was brought to light (she thought I was ogling 14yo girls while we were out with my kids). There are 5 or 6 instances in total. So it's a little more complicated than just bad behavior. But still, I've done it and I don't want to ever do it again.
The other responses: I know it's bad behavior. I really didn't need to be told that again. I loathe the behavior. In anyone, especially me. I know the ramifications and how it makes her feel and everything surrounding it. And I know how to love. What we share is truly once in a lifetime and we both feel that way. I wasn't really looking for advice on how to love someone. In my mind, when we're together, I see nothing but her; I feel nothing but pure love for her. She's blindingly beautiful and when she's near, just the presence of her makes the world a blur. She's absolutely perfect inside and out. She's everything. In my life, I've never seen any couple with something as pure as what we have. I feel incredibly lucky.
But anyway, I accept that I do this thing. I don't accept it because I'm aware of it. Ogling may be fine for some but I don't live by that creed. I accept that I do this thing because she's told me I do it; if she's seen me do it, then I do. I accept that I'm an ogler, unaware, but nevertheless. I can't stand even the thought of me being the very one to hurt her. Yet I have. I love her and the last thing I want to do is hurt or disrepect her or have her feel anything less than perfect love from my heart.
I have always tried to live my life by doing the right thing. And ogling is something that I find repulsive and most certainly in the presence of the one you love. It's just upsetting from so many different angles, not just to her but to me. It disturbs me that I do something so vulgar. I don't want to do this!
I just want to know how to stop a vulgar behavior that you don't know you do. I can't seem to find an answer anywhere. The counselors I've seen don't seem to know how to approach it. I just need to know how to stop it. Which is why I'm trying as many avenues as I can.
I love her. Before we ever met. It's always been her. That's all. And this is the only thing that stands between us. My stupid problem. Please. Help. Refer me to someone that's dealt with this before. Anything.
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A
female
reader, Irish49  + ♥, writes (17 August 2005):
 Men are easily visually stimulated and some say, this tendency is prewired into men's brains-it is an irresistible impulse. Good for you in taking steps to curb this habit of yours. By what you are saying..you do take your "girl watching" tendencies to the extreme and she's
having doubts about your feelings toward her. Can you blame her?
If you ogle/leer/stare/gawk at other women and engage in this conduct repeatedly-with no regard to her feelings-naturally, she's gotten very hypersensitive to it, because you are "overdoing" it, guy! She probably understands that men respond to visual stimuli, but she also knows that you have a freedom of choice, and by ogling others openly, rather than respecting her feelings, you are making a poor choice on your part—one that she can't abide by. You need to modify your girl-watching behavior, a lot. I'm not saying to stop but covert, discreet, short glances is okay. But openly and blatantly "ogling" women will continue to result in resentment from her—and as a woman, I understand it from her point of view. You need to know, she's your date and you have to pay attention to her, or she'll be out the door, leaving you to spend the evening alone.
She's teaching you how to treat her and I give her credit for setting boundries with you. By calling off the wedding-it's her way of letting you know-that she's unsure of your committment to her. You will risk losing her if you continue-you need to find a solution and you need to modify this behaviour. One way is to become diligent and very, very aware of what you are doing-and resisting the urge to "ogle". Hopefully over time, it will become a good habit. Really work hard at this and remember you have choices and you are in control of your own actions. Good luck to the both of you.
Hugs & Smiles, Irish
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A
female
reader, charliesgirl +, writes (16 August 2005):
Looking at the opposite sex is a perfectly natural part of life. Appreciating an attractive person is normal. One quote I always remember is "When you stop looking you're dead." However, there is world of difference between an appreciative glance and blatant leering.
However, have you looked at this from another angle? Have you considered that just perhaps your beloved girlfriend is imagining that you are ogling other women?
The reason I ask you this question is in your words- you claim that you cannot even remember the alleged "ogling" incidents. Surely if you were purposefully eyeing up ladies then you'd at least remember some detail about them? The other indicator is your friend's reactions. They claim that they have never seen you ogling other women- are they trying to protect your feelings or telling the truth? Have they made any other comments about your behaviour whilst you are together? If they are telling the truth and you genuinely cannot remember checking out other women, it may be that your girlfriend is insecure and fears losing you.
If this is the case, then you will need to give her plenty of reassurance and love to gain her absolute trust and confidence, which I have no doubt you can provide her with.
Ask a trusted friend for their absolute honest opinion. A female friend would give you an opinion from a woman's point of view. If it transpires that you have been checking out other women then obviously your girlfriend will be hurt. You are obviously very aware of this, and I am sure that if this is the case you will take all necessary steps to rectify your behaviour.
I am a little concerned that your girlfriend called off your wedding though. I think that you need to work together through any issues that you have before making the commitment on the big day.
Good luck!
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A
female
reader, amiee +, writes (16 August 2005):
 heya, personaly i think you have completed the first step already which is well ... was admitting it to yourself that one you were doing it and two it was wrong. but what i feel you need to to do now is try your best to make it up to your other half. after all you said it to yourself she means everything to you. when you go out with her every time you see another women that you would go for turn and look at her and say something about how much she means to you 1 this gets your mind focused and 2 it makes her feel special.
what your going through is a fantacy and its not unusual it is quite common but determination and realising what a special man you are to have this beautiful women in your life will beat that. and soon enough youll stop and your relationship will be back on the rails again.
remember when you see other women weather she is there or not think i have a lovely women at home/next to me i dont want to ruin that and i love her. say something nice or make a romantic gesture
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