People Watching

Do you ever sit back and just watch your surroundings? Whether it is at home, at work or in a public place like a coffee shop, mall or grocery store. I do.

Sometimes I even notice obscure things that people do. Quietly taking in the scene around you can often be entertaining, comical and absurd. Like the one day I was driving to work, looked over to my left side and saw a lady plucking chin and neck hairs with a set of tweezers! Ouch! I laughed about it the whole commute.

When I was in college, I began to really use my senses to take inventory of what was happening around me. I started looking people in the eye. I asked questions. I would even ask someone, "why did you do that?" Sometimes it made others feel a bit uncomfortable when they realized that a person truly noticed their habit, words or behavior.

Of course, that can backfire because my husband often catches me smiling, day dreaming or doing some random act when I thought no one was looking too. Hahaha!

This week I noticed that my daughter started twirling around in a circle making herself so dizzy that she falls down. She has also started walking backwards and trying to play "keep away" with her ball. I love it when I catch her in the act of doing a new skill or habit.

I sat in a work meeting last week and could tell the mood that everyone was in by their facial expressions. One lady was grouchy. Her crossed arms, legs and face pointing in one direction proved that she did not want to be there. Another woman was taking notes, asking questions and her wide eyes showed she was interested in the topic (either that, or she's a real teacher's pet type. And no, it wasn't me!)

Things I don't like to stare at are roadside accidents and traffic jams. I try my hardest not to slow down and cause another one. That is one event that I have no desire to witness. I also don't like to watch a person in pain, hurting or bleeding.

But the everyday people watching that occurs in our daily routine can be refreshing and educational. I watch how a child responds to his mother, how friends talk and laugh, how a couple must be on a first date, how that woman didn't thank the waitress but the gentleman at the table next to her did and so on. I think to myself about what I just witnessed and how I would like to react. It could be the same or it could be different. Or it causes me to ponder something about myself that I hadn't thought of before.

When I gained courage and began talking to people in any setting, work or personal-related, I received valuable information about myself and my community. Sometimes I even have a delightful conversation with a complete stranger.

If you see me staring at you oneday, I promise I'm not a stalker. But feel free to tell me get lost. Otherwise, I might just be watching you!