What is stares at me but acts uninterested?

The behavior you're referring to, where someone stares at you but then acts uninterested, can be a bit puzzling and may have several underlying meanings or reasons. Here's some information you might find useful:

1. Shyness or Social Anxiety: The person might be interested in you but is too shy or socially anxious to show it openly. Staring can be a way of expressing interest without having to engage directly.

2. Curiosity: Sometimes people stare simply out of curiosity, perhaps because they find you intriguing or unique in some way. Once they realize they are staring, they might act uninterested to avoid making you uncomfortable or being perceived as rude.

3. Playing Hard to Get: In some social contexts, a person might be deliberately sending mixed signals as a way of playing hard to get. They might be interested but are trying to gauge your reaction by acting disinterested.

4. Indifference or Habit: It's possible that the person doesn't have any special interest at all, and their staring could be a habit or a momentary lapse in attention.

5. Misinterpretation: Sometimes, we might misinterpret someone's gaze. What feels like staring might be accidental eye contact or them looking in your general direction without necessarily focusing on you.

6. Non-Verbal Communication: Staring followed by acting uninterested can be part of non-verbal communication. The person might be trying to send a message or signal without using words.

7. Cultural Differences: Eye contact and staring can have different interpretations across cultures. In some cultures, extended eye contact can be considered disrespectful, while in others, it might be a sign of interest.

Understanding the context and any other non-verbal cues can help you better interpret the behavior. If you're comfortable, you might consider approaching the person and engaging in a conversation to clarify any ambiguity.