Staring is an ancient and time-honoured art amongst the noble feline race. Cats practice many years to hone their staring skills and perfect the exact impression they are trying to make on you. A stare can communicate so much and often can induce action in even the laziest and most stupid of humans. Staring is a cat's most versatile tool and communicating device.
 |
| A great example of an intense stare... "A cat in the backyard" photo via Flickr by Henrik B. Aasnes |
Humans are far too dense to understand our rich and varied language and the nuances of our feelings. If you want to communicate with a human you will need to use short very simple words and very clear looks. Often a stare is more effective than even the most basic of words.
For instance, even a human can tell that this is an angry look. They may not understand why but they will know that you are not happy.
 |
| "Angry Blue Eyed Grey Cat" photo via Flickr by Felinest |
A clever human may figure out the reason for the look if you give him a bit of time to digest his thoughts. But not all meet with success.
The next look is obvious to any human who has spent time with cats. They will, even if it's a fraction slow, recognize the excitement and widened eyes and know you are about to pounce.
 |
| "f/1.0" photo via Flickr by Assi Koskinen |
Now a human may not be clever enough to understand the nuance of the next look. But they will be able to figure out from the half covered face and the slinking cat body behind the wall that you are either stalking something or playing with them. They'll know it's a sneaky face.
 |
| "Slightly Suspicious" photo via Flickr by Abri le Roux |
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this is the face of a cat who does not wish to be disturbed. This face says "How dare you speak to me, human? I was attempting to nap!" If the human continues approaching or speaking to you once you've given them this look then I fear your human is beyond help. If, however, they retreat knowingly after receiving this stare, you may have a rare and intelligent human pet.
 |
| "Reflec(a)t II" photo via Flickr by Ahmed Mahin Fayaz |
While you and I, gentle feline reader, know exactly what this next look says, most humans will not be able to decipher the meaning of this stare. They may wonder if you want something. They may think you wish to be petted. They may ask if you want food. Your human pet may lean in closer and ask you stupidly, "What?" Or your human might even think that you are telling them you love them. Silly humans. The truth is, this is not direct enough a stare to inform them of your desires. I can tell from the exact lift of the brows, the precision of the direct gaze, and the perfectly positioned whiskers that this cat wishes to go outside. But she will probably need to be more blunt with humans. Only very smart human pets will know what you mean with this stare, unless of course you stare at them this way from the door and also yell "NOW!" at them.
 |
| "My Auburn Poser" photo via Flickr by L. Whittaker |
But this is only a small range of the stares that a cat can do. Any number of stares that express boredom or annoyance can be immensely satisfying and communicative. There is the
"Oh, what now?"
 |
| "If You Must" photo via Flickr by Michael Coghlan |
Then there is the "Your games bore me"
 |
| "Untitled" photo via Flickr by Erin Murphy |
But perhaps the best of all the different types of stares that a cat can give to a human are the ones of disdain. Disdainful stares are by far the must fun and also the easiest for any human to interpret. Even a dull human who has never interacted with a cat before will realize that he is being judged when you give him a properly disdainful stare.
"How dare you interrupt my important cat business."
 |
| "Pure disdain" photo via Flickr by B. |
Disdain is so useful.
 |
| "No foolish human, I do not wish to 'go outside'" photo via Flickr by Hilary Perkins |
A truly excellent disdainful stare can get a human to pause and rethink whatever they were doing. No human likes to be judged and a well placed disdainful stare can make them think, which is a huge leap forward for the poor things.
Mastering the art of staring at humans may be a time consuming process but it is well worth the effort. The perfect stare can get your human to not only understand you, but also obey you with greater efficiency. Staring at humans is the best way to communicate with them without attempting to teach them our language or having to gesture wildly to be understood.
Try it some time and you may be surprised at the new ease of communication between you and your human pet.
I am, as always, at your service because it pleases me to be so.
xx
Miss Kitty
No comments:
Post a Comment