History Main / DontLookAtMe

** There was also the former starlet who covered her face with a mask at all times, at the risk of her BerserkButton. [[spoiler: When she's unmasked at the end, Batgirl whispers that "She's beautiful," but Batman coolly replies that to the woman herself, all she can see are the flaws.]]

* On ''WesternAnimation/{{Chowder}}'', Gorgonzola said this once so that no one would look at his ''shame''!
** Gazpacho says this when he banned himself from his own stand.
* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse''

-->'''Knuckles:''' Don't look at me! I'm a monster! A MONSTER! ''[runs out of the room]''\\

''[cue flashback]''\\
'''Knuckles:''' Don't look at me! I'm a ballerina! A BALLERINA! ''[gracefully dances out of the room]''

* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'': Grand Galactic Inquisitor doesn't want anyone to interact with him in any way. His catchphrase is "[[LargeHam Ignore me!]]"
** He continuously bellows out to "Continue your human occupations!" and "IGNORE ME!!!" with NoIndoorVoice and [[MilkingTheGiantCow grand dramatic gestures]] even if the cast is not paying attention at all.

** [[spoiler:Marge's father]] screamed this at Marge when she found out about his career as [[spoiler: a stewardess [sic]]], thus [[AllPsychologyIsFreudian causing her lifelong fear of planes]] (amongst other incidents).

** [[spoiler:Marge's father]] screamed this at Marge when she found out about his career as [[spoiler: a stewardess [sic] ]], thus [[AllPsychologyIsFreudian causing her lifelong fear of planes]] (amongst other things).
** The Count Chocula {{expy}}.

--->'''Homer:''' ''[stuffing himself with cheese cubes from the buffet table]'' Don't look at me! ''DON'T LOOK AT ME!'' [[SubvertedTrope Except you, you watch!]]

* In ''ComicBook/XMen: ComicBook/{{Inferno}}'', Illyana said this line to her brother, Colossus, after being turned into a demon. Colossus looked anyway, opting instead to [[KnightTemplarBigBrother beat the demon responsible into a pulp]].

Compare HatesBeingTouched. Contrast CantMoveWhileBeingWatched.

* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': A [[TearJerker heartbreaking]] example occurs during the climax of the Eclipse. During her horrific [[spoiler: rape by the now demonic Griffith]], [[FamousLastWords the last sane thing that Casca says]] to her lover Guts is ''"Don't watch..."'' This is despite the fact that he is being ForcedToWatch by the demonic Apostles who [[DogPileOfDoom dog-piled him]] after he [[spoiler:severed part of his own left arm and tried to stab Griffith's eye out]] in his last attempt to save her. After she passes out from her defeat, exhaustion, and humiliation, Casca awakens only to have become [[TheOphelia insane]] and [[CuteMute mute]] and has not spoken coherently since the events of the Eclipse. [[spoiler: Thankfully, she retains her sanity later on.]]

* In ''ComicBook/XMen: ComicBook/{{Inferno}}'', Illyana said this line to her brother, Colossus, after being turned into a demon. Colossus looked anyway. And after that, the [[KnightTemplarBigBrother beaten demon, though he is responsible for the death]].

*** Also applies to Futaba when she and her friends are out on the beach. Embarrassed about how little she's wearing in front of everyone even though the other girls are barely more thoroughly dressed, she presents herself with some towels wrapped around her head to hide said embarrassment. Justified in that she's had [[{{Hikikomori}} very little in the way of a social life from beforehand]], so the idea of wearing a lot less than is acceptable normally is only naturally alien to her.

*** Also applies to Futaba when she and her friends are out on the beach. Embarrassed about how little she's wearing in front of everyone even though the other girls are barely more thoroughly dressed, she presents herself with some towels wrapped around her head to hide said embarrassment. Keep in mind that she's had [[{{Hikikomori}} very little in the way of a social life from beforehand]], so the idea of wearing a lot less than is acceptable normally is only naturally alien to her.

->''"Bill, don't look at me - I'm 'ideous."''
-->-- '''Fleur Delacour''' after magically disguising herself as Harry, ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows''

* Ryoshi from ''LightNovel/OokamiSan'' has a severe aversion to being stared at, and will yell these words whenever he becomes the center of attention. He gets better as the series progresses.

[[folder:Folklore]]
* There is a [[FearsomeCrittersOfAmericanFolklore creature from Pennsylvania folklore]] called a Squonk, which is said to be so ugly that it dissolves into a puddle of tears whenever anyone sees it, which is why it has never been captured alive.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
* Whilst utilizing his "Dashing" gimmick, Wrestling/CodyRhodes had his nose (legitimately) broken by Rey Mysterio's [[FinishingMove 619]]. [[VillainousBSOD Psychologically broken]] by the perceived "imperfections" in his face, and forced to wear a protective face mask, Rhodes' narcissist gimmick shifted to that of a deranged, self-loathing, paranoid AxCrazy. He took to wearing a hooded jacket on his way to the ring, shielding his face with his hands, and giving interviews/promos in diminished lighting. As his mania grew, Rhodes took to covering the faces of his felled opponents (and audience members) with paper bags, he was so disgusted with the ugliness he saw around him and in himself.
* When Wrestling/{{Kane}}'s mask was forcibly removed in 2003, he underwent an HeroicBSOD that led to a full-on FaceHeelTurn. He took to walking to the ring with a black towel draped over his head, and brutally attacked anyone he thought was mocking his appearance.
* Often the reaction of ''rudo'' Luchadors when they lose a Mask Vs Mask match and react violently about having to unmask. ''Technicos'' tend to handle the shame with a bit more dignity.

[[folder:Roleplay]]
* In ''Roleplay/DawnOfANewAgeOldportBlues'', Jenna is granted a superpower that transforms her from an average girl into a [[TheWormThatWalks walking mass of insects]]. Rather understandably, she hides herself in a hoodie and freaks out if anyone looks too closely at her.

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''TabletopGame/PrometheanTheCreated'': Expect a Promethean to yell this if they suffer GlamourFailure -- Disquiet takes a ''vicious'' spike if a sufferer sees a Promethean's Disfigurements.
* The Freak archetype from ''WOD Slasher'' is also quite given to using this line, given that such killers are ugly as sin and often aren't too happy about it.
* PlayedForLaughs in ''TabletopGame/SentinelsOfTheMultiverse''. Ambuscade's backstory mentions how he was an actor before an injury left him permanently scarred. The back of his team version card reveals him unmasked, desperately trying to hide his... tiny cheek scratch.

[[folder:Theatre]]
* In ''Follies'', Sally sings this when she meets Ben.
* ''Theatre/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'': The eponymous Phantom reacts violently the first time Christine tries to take his mask off and look at him. He even has a [[DespairSpeech despair song]] once she does. Justified in that he was born with a hideous deformity.
-->''This face, which earned a mother's fear and loathing.\\
A mask, my first unfeeling scrap of clothing.''

[[folder:Webcomics]]

* ''WebVideo/StreetFighterTheLaterYears'': Zangief says this in the first episode.
* A hilariously bizarre example from the infamous prank war between ''Website/CollegeHumor'''s Streeter and Amir. In the prank that started it all, Streeter splices audio of himself having sex into a music track Amir is listening too. Audio that mostly consists of his girlfriend moaning while Streeter repeatedly demands that she not look at him, thoroughly weirding out Amir.
* ''Series/CharlesInCharge'': When the WebVideo/{{Wiiviewer}} is caught watching Charles.

* ''Podcast/WelcomeToNightVale'': [[EldritchAbomination The Shape]] [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast (formerly) in Grove Park that No One Speaks Of Or Acknowledges]]. It turns out that the reason no one speaks of or acknowledges it is that [[spoiler:it ''gets mad if you do''.]] Cecil finds this out [[SchmuckBait the hard way]].

* A hilariously bizarre example from the infamous prank war between ''Website/CollegeHumor'''s Streeter and Amir. In the prank that started it all, Streeter splices audio of himself having sex into a music track Amir is listening too. Audio that consists of his girlfriend moaning and Streeter demanding that she not look at him, thoroughly weirding out Amir.

* A hilariously bizarre example from the infamous prank war between ''Website/CollegeHumor'''s Streeter and Amir. In the prank that started it all, Streeter splices audio of himself having sex into a music track Amir is listening too. Audio that consists of his girlfriend moaning and himself demanding that she not look at him, thoroughly weirding out Amir.

* There is a creature from Pennsylvania folklore called a Squonk, which is said to be so ugly that it dissolves into a puddle of tears whenever anyone sees it, which is why it has never been captured alive.

Something to keep in mind when adding examples: it only counts as an example of this trope if it is used to imply that a character is ashamed of their appearance, and only if they actually react towards their "audience". It's not an example if the victim expects not to be seen in the first place (for example, if it's yelled at an AccidentalPervert stumbling upon someone taking a bath), or if someone else is responsible for their appearance and they speak or react in some way only to that person instead of either to everyone around them or running off or something (such as if their humiliation instead results ''directly'' in anger towards just them). Nor is, say, someone's pants falling down or skirt flipping upward an example unto itself if they simply correct that while still expressing embarrassment. Someone timidly standing with their hands/arms over their essentials while naked in public is an example, though.

Something to keep in mind when adding examples: it only counts as an example of this trope if it is used to imply that a character is ashamed of their appearance, and only if they actually react towards their "audience". It's not an example if the victim expects not to be seen in the first place (for example, if it's yelled at an AccidentalPervert stumbling upon someone taking a bath), or if someone else is responsible for their appearance and they speak or react in some way only to that person instead of either to everyone around them or running off or something (such as if their humiliation instead results ''directly'' in anger towards just them). Nor is, say, someone's pants falling down or skirt flipping upward an example unto itself if they simply correct that while still expressing embarrassmnet.

Something to keep in mind when adding examples: it only counts as an example of this trope if it is used to imply that a character is ashamed of their appearance. It's not an example if the victim expects not to be seen in the first place (for example, if it's yelled at an AccidentalPervert stumbling upon someone taking a bath), or if someone else is responsible for their appearance and they speak or react in some way only to that person instead of either to everyone around them or running off or something (such as if their humiliation instead results ''directly'' in anger towards just them).

* ''Anime/Persona5TheAnimation'': While the game conveyed the same thing differently, Futaba complains when Ann gives her a bikini to try on that it barely covers anything.

Something to keep in mind when adding examples: it only counts as an example of this trope if it is used to imply that a character is ashamed of their appearance. It's not an example if the victim expects not to be seen in the first place (for example, if it's yelled at an AccidentalPervert stumbling upon someone taking a bath), or if someone else is responsible for their appearance and they speak or react in some way only to that person instead of either to everyone around them or running off or something (such as if their humiliation instead results ''directly'' in anger).

Something to keep in mind when adding examples: it only counts as an example of this trope if it is used to imply that a character is ashamed of their appearance. It's not an example if the victim expects not to be seen in the first place (for example, if it's yelled at an AccidentalPervert stumbling upon someone taking a bath), or if someone else is responsible for their appearance and they speak or react in some way only to that person instead of either to everyone around them or running off or something (such as if their humiliation instead results in immediate anger).

Something to keep in mind when adding examples: it only counts as an example of this trope if it is used to imply that a character is ashamed of their appearance. It's not an example if the victim expects not to be seen in the first place (for example, if it's yelled at an AccidentalPervert stumbling upon someone taking a bath).

*** Also applies to Futaba when she and her friends are out on the beach. Embarrassed about how little she's wearing in front of everyone even though the other girls are barely more thoroughly dressed, she presents herself with some towels wrapped around her head to hide said embarrassment. Keep in mind that she's had very little in the way of a social life from beforehand, so the idea of wearing a lot less than is acceptable normally is only naturally alien to her.

* ''Manga/KaijuGirlCaramelise'': The first time Kuroe Akaishi turns into [[{{Kaiju}} Harugon]], she takes a stroll down the Harumi River, all the while [[ThatWasNotADream assuming she's having a cathartic dream]]. At one point she is about to use her BreathWeapon on the [[UsefulNotes/KaijuDefenseForce JSDF]] helicopters shooting at her when she sees her love interest Arata Minami staring in fear at her from the riverbank. She wonders why he's looking at her like that when she catches her reflection on the side of a skyscraper and realizes how ugly and scary-looking she is. She frantically submerges herself in the river while mentally begging him to stop looking at her.

* ''Manga/FruitsBasket'': When Kyo's true form is revealed in front of Tohru, he yells this before he runs off.

* In ''LightNovel/SpiceAndWolf'' when Holo transforms fully into her wolf form, she says this specifically to Lawrence. Notably, she didn't mind Lawrence seeing her stripping naked, but she didn't want to frighten him with the transformation.
* ''Manga/BlackButler'': In the anime, Sebastian tells Ciel to close his eyes when he transforms into his demon form in order to kill Ash - a surprising (and [[TheUnreveal yet disappointing]]) non-romantic version of this trope.
* A [[TearJerker heartbreaking]] example occurs during the climax of the Eclipse from ''{{Manga/Berserk}}''. During her horrific [[spoiler: rape by the now demonic Griffith]], [[FamousLastWords the last sane thing that Casca says]] to her lover Guts is ''"Don't watch..."'' This is despite the fact that he is being ForcedToWatch by the demonic Apostles who [[DogPileOfDoom dog-piled him]] after he [[spoiler:severed part of his own left arm and tried to stab Griffith's eye out]] in his last attempt to save her. After she passes out from her defeat, exhaustion, and humiliation, Casca awakens only to have become [[TheOphelia insane]] and [[CuteMute mute]] and has not spoken coherently since the events of the Eclipse. [[spoiler: Thankfully, she retains her sanity later on.]]

* Ryoshi from ''LightNovel/OokamiSan'' has a severe aversion to being stared at, and will yell these words whenever he becomes the center of attention. He gets better as the series progresses.

* ''Manga/BlackLagoon''. In "Roberta's Blood Trail", Roberta makes out with a FARC commander, then shoots him and beats his head literally to a pulp. When [[MoralityChain Garcia]] (who has heard all of this) comes around the corner and begs for her to stop, she has a complete mental breakdown and says these exact words.

* ''Film/BramStokersDracula'' has Mina walk in on Dracula ravishing a spell-ensnared Lucy. Since he's not exactly looking his best in any number of ways, he tells her "Do not see me!". It works due to his hypnotism powers, and Mina seems to have no memory of what she saw.
* Said frequently in ''Film/BlueVelvet''. One of the film's most iconic lines is [[Creator/DennisHopper Frank Booth's]] "Don't you fucking look at me!". Thanks to an extremely disturbing case of StockholmSyndrome, Dorothy has ended up enjoying abuse, and so uses the same line when the power positions are reversed with another character.

* In one of the many film versions of ''Film/OliverTwist'', Bill Sykes (played by Creator/TomHardy) seems to hate people staring at him, but is rather inconsistent in it; several times he threatens people who do look at him, but other times he seems fine with it and will hold a conversation with them and have no problem making eye contact. This is possibly a nod to the book, where Sykes' [[spoiler: last words refer to "the eyes" of dead Nancy]].
* The Bleeder, one of the maniacs who escape from the asylum in ''Film/AloneInTheDark1982'', doesn't like to be looked at by strangers, and is always shown hiding his face. [[spoiler:This sets up the reveal that he has managed to get in the psychiatrist main character's house, as even he doesn't know what he looks like]].
* ''Film/ALeagueOfTheirOwn''. Doris rapidly warns the girls "Don't look at her" when Dottie comes storming out of sister Kit's room, not wanting her to realize that they've been eavesdropping on their argument.