[vitd]

I'm a white guy who used to have long hair and lived in the South of the US. I would often get the stares, and they were often from people trying to intimidate me or who felt threatened or disgusted by my hair. Apparently many of them thought it meant I was gay or transgendered (even though I dressed like every other male around me), which they felt was wrong, and gave them the right to look at me in ways or say things to me that they wouldn't have otherwise. I can totally understand how not enjoyable being stared at everywhere you go is. Heck, even celebrities don't like all the attention they receive just going about their business.

[refurb]

The way I see it is that race is but one of many reasons for getting stared at/being viewed as an outsider.

I remember driving across the US and stopping in Nevada at a gas station/cafe in the middle of nowhere. I walked in (white male) and got some very hard stares from the locals. Not comfortable at all.

Then I realized it wasn't because I was white (they were white too), it was probably the way I was dressed and the fact I didn't fit in. I was an outsider to them.

[teracansz]

The only difference is that you can't change your race to blend in.

[mc32]

Even if people could, I don't think most people would, but for a few people who might be considered [some-color-race]-philes.

And, changing your personality to "fit in" is a lot harder than you might imagine.