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What are Looky-Loos?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 23,396
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The term “looky-loos” is used to refer both to a hankering to look around, and to people who indulge this hankering. In other words, one could say “that lady has a bad case of the looky-loos” in reference to a woman peering at a traffic accident, or “we should put up some curtains to discourage the looky-loos.” Other terms which mean much the same thing include “rubbernecking” and “gawking.”

People are naturally curious creatures, so it is perhaps not surprising that looky-loos can be found in almost every culture. The eye is naturally drawn to changes in the environment, especially when such changes are accompanied by a flurry of activity, as is the case in traffic accidents, and people are also often curious about foreign environments. Many adult shops, for example, have a lot of foot traffic from people with the looky-loos who are just curious about the products they carry.

Depending on the situation, looky-loos can be harmless, obnoxious, or potentially dangerous. Curious bystanders, for example, can interfere with the control of a dangerous situation, like an accident which requires attention from first responders and emergency services personnel. People with the looky-loos may be less attentive about things like looking both ways before crossing the street, or keeping an eye on the road while driving, and they could potentially cause accidents or injure themselves while satisfying their curiosity.

For business-owners who manage establishments which attract looky-loos, visitors who are just there to look around can be irritating, and they can potentially put off legitimate customers. Some stores, in fact, specifically enforce a “no looky-loos” policy, asking people to only enter if they are serious customers, so that regular customers feel more comfortable shopping. These policies are especially common in establishments which stock unusual or potentially embarrassing items, to assure customers that their purchasing habits will not be exposed.

Some communities, such as the Amish and other traditional societies, may also struggle to cope with looky-loos. While curious visitors can sometimes support a community, they can also interfere with the daily business of residents. Citizens of Amish communities, for example, often express frustration with visitors who make demands which interrupt their work days or expressions of religious faith. In some regions, the community may accommodate looky-loos with guided tours which allow people to see what life is like in the community without causing disruption.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PublicPeople researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon134626 — On Dec 15, 2010

Your comments on Lookyloos/Lookieloos are truly bogus. Lookieloos are the educated consumer, they have the ability to purchase but add the curiosity of searching and exploring for the best deals.

If the business person in any business denies those Lookieloos the opportunity to shop or search for their needs or products than that business person doesn't offer that consumer what he wants or needs and therefore, his limited selection or lack of quality salesmanship are the cause of lack of sales and wasting of time. Whose time is wasted at this point? The LookieLoos.

In reality, when is a lookieloo, not a lookieloo? When he is made into a buyer. Right? So welcome those lookieloos and maybe they will become your buyers, O.K.?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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