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At a recent auto show in Guangzhou, a man wearing a simple striped shirt became an overnight internet sensation. Dubbed “Stripes Guy” by netizens, his unusual behavior of intensely gazing at female models without so much as blinking stirred heated debates online, quickly catapulting him from obscurity to viral fame. However, what began as an odd curiosity ended with swift condemnation, as both social media platforms and professional associations moved to shut down the buzz surrounding his antics.
The controversy began on November 20, when videos of “Stripes Guy” at the Guangzhou Auto Show started circulating online. While most attendees snapped pictures of the cars and interacted with the models, Stripes Guy stood out for his unorthodox behavior. He remained motionless, silently staring at female models with a level of intensity that many described as unsettling. His focused gaze quickly caught the attention of both onlookers and cameras, and before long, netizens turned him into a viral topic of conversation.
Initially, public reactions were a mix of amusement and fascination. Some praised Stripes Guy for his calm demeanor and his apparent indifference to the distractions of modern technology. “Finally, someone who knows how to admire beauty without a smartphone!” one social media user commented. Others compared him to a “clear stream” amid the noise and chaos of the show.
However, the viral fame also drew criticism. Many found his behavior uncomfortable, with some female models at the show reportedly feeling uneasy under his prolonged gaze. Critics labeled his actions as “creepy” and “inappropriate,” arguing that it crossed boundaries of social decency. The situation escalated when the Commercial Model Association issued a statement condemning Stripes Guy’s behavior as a form of lowbrow sensationalism that undermined public morality.
Interestingly, the backlash did little to dampen Stripes Guy’s newfound fame. In the days following his viral debut, his social media account amassed a massive following, with fans flocking to watch his uploaded videos. Female models who initially seemed disturbed by his behavior began engaging with him online, likely seeking to share in the attention he was receiving. Some even challenged him in videos, hoping to provoke a reaction from him, only to be met with his characteristic stoicism.
Despite his rising popularity, Stripes Guy’s moment in the spotlight was short-lived. Platforms quickly acted to remove related content, citing violations of community guidelines. The Commercial Model Association further called on models to stop collaborating with him, warning against promoting inappropriate behavior for the sake of fame. In response, Stripes Guy’s social media accounts were suspended, effectively cutting off his access to his growing audience.
The incident sparked broader debates about the nature of internet fame and the increasing prevalence of attention-seeking behavior in today’s social media-driven culture. While some argued that Stripes Guy’s actions were relatively harmless and blown out of proportion, others saw his rise to fame as symptomatic of a deeper problem. The tendency for individuals to gain notoriety through unconventional or controversial actions, coupled with the public’s appetite for sensationalism, has led to what many describe as a “distorted” internet culture.
This debate extended to the models’ own involvement in the controversy. While Stripes Guy’s behavior was widely criticized, the willingness of some models to engage with him after his rise to fame was also met with disapproval. Many netizens questioned the ethics of using such interactions to chase online clout, with one commenter noting, “It’s one thing to criticize someone for inappropriate behavior, but it’s another to turn around and exploit that same behavior for your own gain.”
