Quote Originally Posted by cessna152towser
I would add that whether you perceive a comment as positive or negative is very much in your own mind. As an example, two teenage guys walk past you and you overhear one saying to the other "Hey that guy's wearing a black skirt". If you are now to kilt wearing you could easily construe this as a put down intended to draw attention to you and embarrass you. However I would now construe his need to draw his companion's attention as meaning "that's cool, wish you and I had the confidence to wear black kilts."
Don't get me wrong. I've been taking giggling and anything with a neutral tone to it (i.e. a simple "look at that guy" comment) as positive. What I'm bothered by is the horrified looks. It's hard to misconstrue a look of horror or disdain.