Ruitlane: Don't Watch Me, Your Eye Stinks

Humorist Ruitlane writes about the surveillance society hysteria, which he says is deepening. On the street or on a bus, people no longer dare to look at women, fearing to invite accusations. According to Ruitlane, this trend was boosted by pop culture, including a song by musician Jaan Pehk.

Estonia is experiencing growing anxiety about how to behave in public spaces, particularly when it comes to looking at strangers. Humorist Ruitlane writes that the surveillance society hysteria, which has also been highlighted by politician Jürgen Ligi, is no longer just a topic in public debate, but an everyday experience on the street and in public transport.

According to Ruitlane, the situation has reached a point where walking down the street means hiding your gaze, as looking at a woman without prior consent can seem reprehensible. "Now walk and hide your eyes," he writes, summing up the situation with a brief and ironic piece of advice.

According to the text, the hysteria was amplified by pop culture, specifically pop music. Musician Jaan Pehk has sung the phrase "don't watch me, your eye stinks," which in Ruitlane's treatment has become something of a symbol of the times: a simple phrase that reflects broader societal attitudes about personal space and boundaries related to looking.