Advice: Handling a Persistent Staring Stranger on a Tourist Cruise

This article features an entry from The Age's 'Modern Guru' advice column, addressing a social dilemma faced by a reader from Newcastle, NSW. The reader describes a four-hour tourist boat cruise where an elderly woman seated in front of them repeatedly turned around to stare, ignoring the scenery and causing significant discomfort. With the boat full and no option to move seats, the reader sought advice on how to handle the situation. The columnist suggests that the woman may have had a cognitive impairment, urging patience and non-engagement. Using a humorous analogy, the advisor compares the woman to an annoying toddler on a plane, noting that while both can ruin a trip, physical retaliation is not an option. The recommended strategy involves a graduated response: starting with friendly smiles, progressing to polite inquiries, then ignoring, scowling, and finally asking the husband to distract his wife with items like keys or snacks. The piece blends practical social advice with wit, highlighting the complexities of public interactions with potentially vulnerable individuals.