What is staring?

Oliver’s habit of staring at Elio is symbolic of Elio’s inability to objectively interpret the events around him. Without knowing anything of Oliver’s mind or personality, Elio comes to the mistaken conclusion that Oliver’s staring is cold, hostile, and meant to convey a negative opinion of him. It is only later, once Oliver is able to provide Elio with some perspective, that Elio realizes the staring was a symptom of shyness and not malice.