People watching. Observing folks and their mannerisms, habits, the way they speak, the things they say, their overall demeanor.
I remember exactly when I started people watching. I was an Intern at a major (now defunct) Accounting firm in downtown Charlotte. Every day at lunch, I'd go find something to eat, find somewhere to sit and then watch all the crazy go by. As someone who much preferred the company of a book before the company of a person, being in the midst of all those people every day quickly turned from scary to fascinating.
Seeing how people relate to each other, trying to figure out if they're strangers or if they know each other, trying to piece together their "story" based on reactions and interactions. Listening for accents, slang, word selection, inflection... Fascinating.
Glancing at faces, dimples, cleft chins, chubby cheeks, stenciled eyebrows, nose rings, nail polish, jewelry, shoes, cleavage, short skirts, baggy pants, hats too big for people's heads, hats with tags still on 'em... Fascinating.
All of these people, so perfectly different from one another, yet all perfectly made for whatever their purpose in life is... Fascinating.
You don't have to be in the city to people watch, you can do that anywhere, and these days I find myself people watching no matter where I am. Back then I people watched out of boredom and for comedic purposes. Now, I watch other people to try and learn a little more about me.
Do you learn anything about yourself when you people watch, as I do? Sometimes I'll see or hear somebody, doing or saying something crazy, and I'll shake my head and mumble... "They oughta be ashamed..." Then, just as quickly, I'll think, have I ever acted like that?
More often than not I find myself answering in the affirmative.
Once I overheard someone having a loud, inappropriate conversation in the workplace. I grumbled, "Hmph, they know they need to go outside with that. This is not the place..." Then just as quickly, I had to check myself. Have I ever acted like that? Sho' nuff. I recalled a time (unfortunately, recently), where I had the beginnings of a loud, inappropriate conversation over the phone at my desk. Once I realized I was loud, I got up and walked out into the hallway, but by then nosy ears were already perked and absorbing more of my business than I wanted. For the people watchers in the office, I was the crazy walking by that day. I resolved to never, ever do that again.
Often I overhear people, and it seems to be the same ones all the time, complaining loudly about something or another. Even on a great day for everybody all around, some people find something to complain about. And then, there I go. "Hmmph, I wish they would stop complaining 'bout everything everyday. Good grief, can't they just be thankful, for something? Anything? Nobody wants to hear a complaining person day after day after day." Then, just as quickly... Wait, do I do that? I can recall several occasions in which nothing that came out of my mouth that day was positive. I don't want to be that person, so I won't anymore. This past week, it hit me unexpectedly that I am more blessed than I ever thought I would be, and I just haven't been thankful enough. I've resolved to do better than that going forward.
People watching. Now it's more than poking fun at someone with a crazy outfit on or busted, crusty toes, it's also a time for reflection and introspection. I watch people and realize that, hey, I really don't have it so bad and I need to be a little more appreciative. I need to carry myself like I'm blessed and happy to be, not like I don't appreciate the opportunity to do one more day of living.
To identify behaviors that I dislike in other people and then realize I've been guilty of exhibiting the same is more than a little humbling.
I welcome that though, keeps my head from ballooning out of control and my feet firmly on the ground. My head is already quite sizable as it is. ;~)
Anyway, I woke up kinda early and felt the irrepressible need to ramble. Enjoy your day!
Love this one... :-)
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