Maybe this was meant as a hoot and if so, sorry for raining on the parade, but staring at someone <<discreetly>> until they realize that you have been "gazing at them intently" is not a bad way of finding out, from the reaction on his/her face, how they feel about having attracted your attention.
Is there some "magic spell" that comes from staring at someone? Only so far as in the para above, or such has been my experience of life. Doing the above has brought me both pleasure (from a mutual attraction) to the threat of hostility (what are you looking at?), so it is important to maintain enough distance to make a dignified retreat and keep your self restraint.
I know, I <<talk>> too much, but sometimes when the words start to flow ...