How to Find Out If Someone is Observing You

Jeevan Sivasubramaniam Posted by Jeevan Sivasubramaniam, Managing Director, Editorial, Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.



It seems easy enough to try to look suddenly to catch someone looking at you, but we all know that doesn't always work because they can quickly avert their eyes, or in other cases, their eyes may seem to be looking at you when in fact they are actually not even paying attention and are lost in thought.

But here's one way to find out: Make sure that the person you suspect of looking at you is either 90 degrees to the right or left of you. Then, lift your wrist and look at your watch (even if you don't wear a watch, just lift your wrist). Point at your watch to yourself and nod thoughtfully (pretend like you are thinking to yourself "yes, now is the correct time"). Whomever is observing you will have a sudden urge to know the time and will either look at their own watch or cell phone or up at a clock.