I also love people watching, and listening. I have heard that some authors keep a notebook, and jot down overheard conversations, or just snippets for their books. Fascinating.
I live near a childrens playground and like to watch the people in there. Young mums bringing their little ones for the first time, lots of dads too pushing swings.
One thing that is very clear....all this 'gender neutral' stuff is nonsense. The difference between the sexes is obvious from a very young age. Little girls behave in a totally different way from the boys. I watched a little girl yesterday go flouncing off to fetch Daddy after a disagreement with a boy. She strode off up the street in a typically female way. No doubting which sex she was!
I'm another prople watcher. Even when travelling on bus, train, tram, as a car passenger or on a plane, I never read, always watch the scenery or people. IMV it's much more interesting.
When my DH and I go out sometimes we’ll make up stories about the people we see.
Young couple sitting at a table with an older couple: meeting the parents! How exciting
Young woman walking in a smart (but inexpensive suit) with a smile on her face: just had the best job interview ever! We can’t wait for her to get the call tomorrow these she got the job.
People watching is one of my favourite pastimes. I never sit with my back to the room in a pub or restaurant DH knows this and always takes the seat facing away from the main area. Park benches, waiting room, I'm happy to sit and watch.
I don’t just do ‘people watching’, I also love ‘people listening’ - it drives DH mad! I seem to catch half a conversation before he accuses me of earwigging and then I miss the ending!
A couple of years ago, and it was only a couple, I was fixated by a family in a restaurant. Parents, son (about 13) and grandmother. The 4 of them sat at their table for 45 minutes without saying a single word to each other, or anyone else, except to order their meal. Yes, they had phones, but actually hardly used them.
When I people-watch I notice how many people are overweight, and wonder why personal pride or just vanity doesn’t prevent this. Perhaps it’s become the norm.
I like to people watch too and find it strange how people can sit in a cafe/restaurant with someone and spend all their time using their phones, ignoring the person the other side of the table!
I was on holiday with a friend who did it to me, after 10 minutes I stood up, went for a walk, met up with a couple of others staying at the same hotel and didn't get back to her for a couple of hours. She was still sitting in the same place, still on her phone!
I love people watching nothing better than going over to Liverpool and sitting watching all the visitors to the City on their tours and listening to their comments on our great City.
My husband is a great people watcher especially if we go to a shopping centre - he's quite happy to just sit and let me wander round the shops myself. Suits me too as I know how bored he gets being dragged in and out of shops
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?