Or if your usually standoffish daughter plops down beside you while you're watching TV, pay attention.

CNN: Get your kids to open up

As a result, I have a more standoffish attitude with my manager, and feel less engaged.

FORBES: New Data Shows Depth Of Employee Discontent

The downturn has procured a related outbreak of pleasant behavior: Tradesmen, salespeople and restaurant reservationists have lost their standoffish attitude.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Excerpt: Many of his classmates found him cool and standoffish.

FORBES: Fact And Comment

Unlike standoffish Berliners, ordinary folk in Dortmund joined the party.

ECONOMIST: The Ruhr��s attempt to reinvent itself takes a tragic turn

In a separate interview Deputy PM Mr Clegg told the BBC that "perhaps naively" he had expected the referendum campaign not to feature politicians so prominently, and he and Mr Cameron could take a more "standoffish" stance.

BBC: AV referendum: Cameron 'not responsible for No to AV'

Among American officials there is growing disappointment and irritation with Mr Putin, both for his standoffish attitude (they were flabbergasted when he failed to attend the G8 summit and a bilateral meeting with Mr Obama last month) and for his apparent unwillingness or inability to deliver.

ECONOMIST: Russia and America

Rodgers had come of age as a racer during that exuberant '70s running boom, and though he was a great competitor he also won the New York Marathon four times he loved the inclusiveness of a marathon, how anyone could line up with the trained professionals (Rodgers doesn't like the term "elite, " considering it too standoffish).

WSJ: 'Boston Billy' Won't Stop Running