There is a universal law of human observation which states: a person seated or standing along a sidewalk has the right to stare at passersby, but not at other stationary people; where as a person in motion may not stare at either stationary people or at fellow passersby. This all seems to follow the parade principle of spectator and spectacle. As a woman runner in Istanbul, I am not only an unusual spectacle but a potential object of commentary and observation.
The rules of observation being what they are, the stationary people facing the sidewalk have no problem watching me for as long as they please. A simple turn of the head is all that is necessary. But those not facing the sidewalk, such as those engaged in conversation, must devise some method to get an unobstructed view. There are several techniques for accomplishing this view: the unobtrusive method or wait until my back is in view, then turn; the extremely crafty anticipatory method or turn while I am still approaching, as if to look at something else; and the hostile glare method of blatantly turning as I pass.
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