goffman noted that "when men and women cross each other's path at close quarters, the male will exercise the right to look for a second or two at the female ... civil inattention, then, can here involve a degree of role differentiation regarding obligations". such a public double standard has been challenged by feminists, who resent the expectation that female appearance/behavior may be routinely commented on. such behavior may then escalate into staring, stalking and insulting harassment, revealing the costs a breach of civil inattention may bring.