People are strange sometimes, especially if they don't know you. I have noticed in various meetings that oftentimes people will "stare down" new folks that make comments for the first time. In those situations, I think they are just trying to figure out "who is this person, where does she come from, what is her background, etc. etc." I have experienced that same reaction in different groups and I believe that these folks probably do not intend to be threatening, they were just curious. Also, I think "we" tend to be self-conscious sometimes among unfamiliar people and are sensitive to such things. Hang in there.