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People watching

(64 Posts)
WOODMOUSE49 Mon 12-Aug-19 12:33:50

I've had a weekly, now fortnightly, hospital visit for nearly three months so I have had lunch in town after/before the appointments. I used to read my book whilst waiting for food but people watching is fascinating.

I nearly put this in the PET PEEVE thread but ...

Seeing a family or group of people having a meal in restaurant, cafe or pub. Some not engaged (and this appears to be mainly children) with the conversation. They are glued to their phones. Not talking but texting or game playing. Only time they put it down is to eat, if they need a knife AND fork. Quite often the phone is still being used whilst the other hand holds the fork. I think to myself, is this killing the art of face to face conversation or discussions or standing in front of others to give a presentation etc. What a pity the adults don't involve them in the conversation.

I know teachers plan in opportunities for children to discuss or stand up and talk but are children coping well with this.

Any way, the thread is really about watching others as well as what we notice about them. Does anyone else do it?

Tamayra Tue 13-Aug-19 15:33:10

I remember taking some visiting American friends to an upmarket restaurant on Sydney Harbour during the 2000 Sydney olympics
I said to them very quietly “Don’t look now but Princess Anne & hubby are sitting just behind you”
They immediately both jumped up & announced they needed the ladies room
Better than just turning around I guess !

KatyK Tue 13-Aug-19 15:23:29

I love people watching and, like Pantglas people earwigging. Sometimes when we are leaving a restaurant or somewhere, DH will say to me "I saw you listening to those people.grin What was their story?' Then I tell him what I heard. Do you think we need to get a life? grin

Theoddbird Tue 13-Aug-19 15:16:14

I love sitting having coffee outside a seaside cafe I go to. It is on a slope looking down to a big green and then the prom...perfect for people watching which I love to do.

MissAdventure Tue 13-Aug-19 15:05:48

Yes, I do that too.
I wonder what they're having for dinner, and who they're cooking for..

Notsooldat75 Tue 13-Aug-19 14:58:21

I often look at the contents of other peoples’ shopping trolleys. Fascinating trying to work out why they have bought two bottles of gin, an aubergine, Bath oil and bleach?!
Does anyone else do this, I wonder?

marpau Tue 13-Aug-19 14:35:01

When I used to car share with 2 other ladies we would make up stories about the other drivers and try to guess their occupation. We even had names for them based on registration plates the slow moving traffic into the city allowed a close up view as most were regular commuters. It was a tad embarrassing if any appeared at my place of work as I had to struggle not to use their fictional names.

Rosina Tue 13-Aug-19 14:18:56

Ladies; 'people watching,' and in fact 'watching' anything that goes on around you is not, absolutely not, nosy. You are taking an interest in the world about you, and your fellow humans. This indicates lively intelligence and healthy curiosity. There is a sociological term for this practice, which I learned when studying; it is called 'Empirical Research', so next time you twitch the nets to see what is going on outside, remember that you are carrying out a recognised scientific practice, and improving your mind.

MissAdventure Tue 13-Aug-19 13:38:53

You're spot on, Diane.
My life is sad and boring.

I never stare though, that would be rude.

Jacks1 Tue 13-Aug-19 13:36:19

I enjoy people watching too, its fascinating. U can learn about body language. But try not to watch for too long or u get funny looks!

Glammy57 Tue 13-Aug-19 13:34:14

I’m another people-watcher! ?

GrannySomerset Tue 13-Aug-19 13:31:01

My (Irish) mother made any journey shorter by the stories she invented about fellow travellers. It was a great gift and I wish I had inherited it.

Musicgirl Tue 13-Aug-19 13:25:45

I've always done it. People are endlessly fascinating. I try not to stare though.

b1zzle Tue 13-Aug-19 13:21:11

Sitting at the till in a charity is a great opportunity for people watching!

Squiffy Tue 13-Aug-19 12:50:21

Art galleries are great for people watching and earwigging! It's as entertaining as the actual art that we're supposed to be viewing. So many pretentious 'arty' experts trying to impress, with their so-called knowledge, whoever may be listening to their carefully overloud asides about the artists' works!

This probably says more about me than them blush

Nanny41 Tue 13-Aug-19 12:38:59

I love people watching, especially in Airports,wondering where people are off to, also the different types of expressions on their faces, from stressed out, to worrying others looking relaxed,many on their phones of course.Some rushing, dragging children along, others wandering, many sitting down, also people watching,it is fascinating,I love it.

Diane227 Tue 13-Aug-19 11:29:10

Sorry but I hate being "watched" and I dont do it to other people very often.
I have been known to go up to a woman who was staring and say "hello, do we know each other" .
I think its the height of rudeness to sit and make up stories about who others are and what they are doing. I think those who do must lead very sad boring lives.

TrendyNannie6 Tue 13-Aug-19 11:18:01

I love to people watch too. Love to see how people interact with each other. It’s great to talk to dif people too. I very often sit on bench after doing my shopping . And engage in small talk with the others that share it.

Swanny Tue 13-Aug-19 11:14:29

Spent a happy hour at a pavement cafe abroad, with a very dear friend, just people watching. We were so relaxed in each others' company we had no need to talk and silently decided together when it was time to leave. Anyone watching us though would probably have thought we were thoroughly miserable for not speaking to each other!
Many years later remembering that hour still makes me smile with pleasure cafe

Legs55 Tue 13-Aug-19 11:13:01

I love both people watching & people listening, I've got very good hearing & can often be caught "earwigging"grin.

One thing I do hate is when out with a friend & they say "don't turn round...." I want to turn round & have a lookhmm

nipsmum Tue 13-Aug-19 10:39:39

Oh I love people watching in general, buy my daughter and I are even better at it.

jaylucy Tue 13-Aug-19 10:38:00

I love people watching.
When I was in my teens, my dad was fairly happy to take mum and I shopping - he'd wait in the car and tell us of what he'd seen when we got back!
His favourite place was a small town not far from here that at the time had a lot of antique shops - those browsing around at the time seemed to have to dress for the part - waxed jackets, Hunter boots , women wearing headscarves - and pearls and men wearing those tweedy hats with fishing flies stuck in them! Doubt very much if that was how they dressed every day - in fact one woman once told me she dressed like that because she thought that it would look as if she knew what she was talking about with the antiques and would get a better bargain !!!

trendygran Tue 13-Aug-19 10:38:00

I love people watching -although sometimes in the city,I wonder why! Some amazing sights pass by whilst I am waiting for the bus home! The other day,after buying my ticket, I sat on the station ,eating a sandwich,and people watching there. Much more Interesting to see the travellers than the people passing my bus stop!

polnan Tue 13-Aug-19 10:27:45

I love watching people

Fennel Tue 13-Aug-19 09:18:43

I must be nosy too. I often sit in the local shopping square watching people go by.
There seem to be so many people out and about with health problems, worse than mine. I wonder how they cope.

MissAdventure Mon 12-Aug-19 21:52:04

I love watching people; I wonder about their lives; what secrets they hold, and whether their lives are happy or sad or somewhere in between.
I wonder if they're happily married, what family they might have.

In short, I'm very nosy!