Observing people can be an interesting pastime

this is a great way to pass time in traffic.. you should watch the people in the vehicles around you.. i also luv to watch people when i dine alone or shop alone.. i say ALONE.. because.. whenever i go out with the whole family - with 3 young kidz running around, quarelling, fighting with each other - i think, me and my husband are best the targets to be watched and observed !!

I have been an avid people watcher for as long as I can remember! Yes, we must always be wary of staring at people but in time we learn to kick back and relax and not be intrusive at all; and it is amazing what we can learn by doing this. I have always been very interested in bidy language and have studied many resources on the matter. People can be so unique and interesting by just being themselves and I have witnessed some very entertaining things in the past too. I used to look at people and then try to picture their lives in my mind.

I love going to the Mall of America here near me in Minnesota for people watching. The main reason being that there are actual charter flights from other countries just for a shopping excursion etc to the MOA. It is great watching the foriengers shop and walk around. I have always been a people watcher. I got it from being in a traveling carnival and circus for so mnay years. The best thing I like about people watching is the way they shop actually. It is funnt to see the various ways they look at and pick items they want or don't want. Taking it, then setting it in a totally different area of the store or shelf. I also like to watch them eat. Too funny some of the nasty habits we have actually. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~

I LOVE people-watching! I've done it most of my life. I've learned a lot about life by observing people and how they act in different situations. I even have pet names for some of them. Nothing derogatory, just my own personal names that I don't share with anyone. I would never make fun of anyone, that's just too cruel. The slowpokes are 'turtles'. There are the 'social butterflies', the 'drama queens', the 'vultures', the 'leeches', the 'leches', etc. LOL It's helped me to become a better person, at least I hope it has! I've become a more understanding and empathetic person by observing others. Sometimes, I'll see someone doing something that I know I do. If I don't like it or agree with it, then I have to think about changing my own ways! My sister, poor dear, used to get so wrapped up in the conversations of others that she'd actually start following them, even if they were going out the door! I'd have to pull her back. LOL She had brain damage and I was her unofficial "guardian". People watching can certainly teach us a lot about ourselves!

hahaha!!! maybe this is an interesting hobby but I have no time to do this watching people? Indeed as I imagine it,it is entertaining but in my present situation, it is hard to observe people when no body is around. I am the only one in the house all the time and I have no chance of going out. So, then I can not see anybody to observe.LOL But I agree it is interesting I bet.

Yes, observing people can be a very fun past time to indulge in, and it's interesting to see the quirks and personalities of different people, and how each individual respond to their situations and surroundings. I tend to observe better looking people than those 'ugly' ones. Yes, it's true that I am quite superficial by nature. =X I spent quite a majority of my spare time observing people; that is if I am not on the internet. In a group, I also prefer to observe the interactions between the people rather than actively engaging in the conversations around me. It is refreshing to see that sometimes people are not who they seem to be on the surface. It is only through observance that we will be able to grapse hold of a bit of their own charactors and personalities. And that is what interest me a lot - the way people hide behind their masks. Some people who appear to be very close to one another is in fact not close at all. When you observe their body language and their facial expressions, I have come to realise that sometimes what the person says does not correspond with what is being expressed. That is the interesting part of humans. The most real parts to a human is what was not spoken and that is usually what gives liars away. Some funny things that I have observed in people are their quirks and idiocrisies while conversing. Some are so expressive with their actions and moments while talking that I find it difficult to concentrate on what they are talking as my attention would be focused on their hand and body movements. THe greatest lesson to learn from this is people tend not to listen when you talk with big actions. So, I watch my little quirks too when I converse with people. Well, what funny things have you observed about people so far?

"Observing" came naturally to me. A lot can be learned about the human condition from observing. This is what great writers do. I like to write and the things I have learned from watching people really has helped.

I like people and I like watching them, but also, like you like to not let them know as I don't want them to feel uncomfortable. Actually I am very good at being politely oblivious to people around me.. yet I'm not at all!

just curious on when your watching people do you watch them far or near or the location where in its not so noticeable that you are watching them or your using some telescope or something...and i dont have the habit of watching people since im to busy at home ...

Hi there! I always observe people around me. I think it has become my habit whenever I am in a room or somewhere full of people. Most of the time I find myself observing others when I am waiting and getting bored of the time. People tends to attract my attention when they talk loud conversing with someone. I also listen to their conversion but of course never lets myself be noticed that I eves dropping lol. I just can't help it. They talk too loud. Most of the time I observe people how they dress. I look at their shoes and bags and try to check what brand it is lol. I don't know if it is informative for me cause my observations never lasts that long. I easily forget about other people when I leave. For me its just something I do so not to get bored on that moment. Ciao!

It is interesting to do, though sometimes is not interpreted by others well. Nice to see there are others that do not find it odd. I do not do it so much now, as I am not so fond of going to crowded places anymore. I do at work sometimes, as people come and go there often. I think after awhile, you feel like either you have learned all you can or that you cannot stomach it anymore. Sometimes you see a lot of things you wished you had not. I think some of the more positive ones were when you notice someones innocent admiration of someone else, or when you spot others trying to not be obvious of looking at someone.

I have been very observant of people too for so many years. But I never tried doing it like just sitting on a bench in a mall or park just to observe people of what they are doing. Well, it maybe a good pasttime and i would surely enjoy it much. hmm let me go to the park tomorrow and do that.

I don't really watch people that much because I don't like them looking at me. xD I can't make myself watch them without them noticing. I agree that watching their behaviour and reactions can be interesting tough. =P Last year, our English teacher made us do descriptive writing about people. He told us that during our recesses, we have to go and watch 3 random people and write about their appearance and actions. My friend and I did this and watched these people, but I think they knew what we were up to, even though we said it was for a project. xD It was fun though, and now my friend is friends with them. *Offtopic* *Ontopic* We had a class discussion about observing people, and that was the first time we thought about what we can learn from it. =P I think it's definitely interesting to watch people... although I could never do it. xD

Honestly, i haven't taken the time to observe people. But I too enjoy observing animals. The way they act, the way they sleep. Things that get them exited, is absolutely amazing. Sometimes its almost as if they are more alert of the world around us than we are. For those of you who have never done this before...take an hour of your day to observe your own family pet. You be surprised what you find.

well I took my degree in psychology so of course I observe people, and it is great you can learn a whole lot from different people that way.

I dare say it is an interesting hobby. I used to do such when I was waiting for someone who is late. It keeps me from getting worked up. However, most I watched put me in a fast pace as almost everyone is rushing. There are the occasional hugs and kisses oblivious to anyone around them.

I agree, I have always enjoyed observing people. It can be very interesting. It is a wonderful way of learning how to do something as well. A lot of courses use observation of people acting out certain types of situations to show how it can be handled. I have often observed people doing things. As an introvert I am often alone or have lots of quiet time to just watch what the rest of the world is doing. I do not think I have ever observed anything that I found funny, just interesting.

[b]hi positiveminded1977! there are times that i am very observant with the people around me. i see things that some don't but when i don't like observing people, i just don't mind whatever it is that i see.hahaha! most of the time, i see so many funny moments that they do and it makes me laugh but of course, i do that manner when they are far away from me so that i would prevent myself from offending someone. happy posting and happy mylotting![/b]

This is a good hobby, I was taught to do this as a child, when complaining about being bored. We were taught to entertain ourselves. anytime I'm in a waiting position this is what i do. Now I also send kind thoughts where ever I feel a need.

you are right. for most observing others is a boring thing to do. observing without passing any remarks and watching what happens next is a good thing. we can learn a lot from it. strangely others do not like this. they think only psycho's do it. this job is particularly suited to psychologists. but they too share the same feeling the common public shares.