While “A cat can look at a king” – staring is not recommended. In so many ways; looking too fixedly, too openly, or for too long can drain nine lives quicker than a casino can drain your bank balance.
Not staring means not being noticed – it means putting more attention to what you’re stepping into than where you want to go – it means not getting too clear a look at what you don’t want to see; or shouldn’t.
When we mainly get by in life by not looking at anything or anyone too closely [including ourselves] – doing things “with your eyes wide open” may not be as smart as it sounds.