I really like to people-watch.
It's not stalking, I swear. It's people-watching. Like bird-watching, but more interesting because you're looking at things that have the same number of chromosomes as you, and you're sitting there wondering if you do things like they do.
There are lots of places to people-watch and be a general creeper, but there are a few really specific places that I love to go because it means I can sit behind my laptop, write (or pretend to write as it usually ends up), and then just watch people come and go and look at all the different types of faces and hear all the voices and just soak up social interaction without actually having to be social. We all do that, it's just that I think I do it more often than most people. I love to see how others interact, how couples kind of fall into place next to each other if they're in love or how they physically separate themselves if they're not (anymore).
Also, it makes it very easy to witness awesome things that you normally wouldn't if you weren't watching closely. I saw a guy donate a sandwich from Jimmy Johns to a homeless guy once, then sit down to eat lunch with him and talk; that kind of stuff makes me very happy.
I once saw an old couple feed each other a bite of granola each, then the old man kissed her cheek. It was precious.
I also regularly witness people picking their noses. But that comes with the territory.
So, I'm giving you (all two of you who actually read this) my favorite places to (creep) people-watch.
Top 5 List of Best places to People-Watch:
1. Airport
Everyone (except for the truly phobic and not-fit-for-public folks) flies at some point in their lives if you're living in modern America. There is no easier way to get to far out places and to be honest, I think people get really excited--no matter how old they are--about getting on planes. There's something awesome about it that no one can explain, but we do it anyways.
Anyways, the airport is freaking awesome just for the reason that everyone goes. Yeah, you've got your boring suits and the regular airpot security people basically dominating the place, but in between are some wacky folks. And--if your luck is anything like mine--you'll probably end up sitting next to one of the more interesting ones who have done something spectacular that they are on their way home from. You learn a lot about people when they're stressed out (and who isn't stressed out these days about getting through security?) and it's fun to see the different ways people dress and act when they're being watched by hawks who are ready to tackle them to the ground for just about any reason. Then again...sometimes they do have reason to be a little suspicious of folks who do this.
2. Library
I am positive that I am not the only weirdo who creeps on people in the library. When those around you are entirely engrossed in whatever they're procrastinating their homework on, it's really easy to just space out and watch them. Or, if you're in the computer clusters/labs, you can sometimes see what people are Googling or looking at and you learn something about them. Like the guy who I sat next to in my criminal research class? He had no clue how to use the research databases we were supposed to be searching for journal articles, so instead, he went onto his fantasy football thing and started cursing under his breath about something.
Or, what I always like to see, is when people are on websites that "mature college kids" shouldn't generally frequent. Like neopets. Or barbie.com. Because I've seen it, and it's a little funny, a little sad, and a lot telling.
No one should let go of their childhoods!
Also, people have a tendency to forget themselves when they're really into what they're studying, so they start doing weird shit that they normally wouldn't while in public.
No, I've never seen this in real life, but someone probably has.
3. Mall
It's not stalking, I swear. It's people-watching. Like bird-watching, but more interesting because you're looking at things that have the same number of chromosomes as you, and you're sitting there wondering if you do things like they do.
There are lots of places to people-watch and be a general creeper, but there are a few really specific places that I love to go because it means I can sit behind my laptop, write (or pretend to write as it usually ends up), and then just watch people come and go and look at all the different types of faces and hear all the voices and just soak up social interaction without actually having to be social. We all do that, it's just that I think I do it more often than most people. I love to see how others interact, how couples kind of fall into place next to each other if they're in love or how they physically separate themselves if they're not (anymore).
Also, it makes it very easy to witness awesome things that you normally wouldn't if you weren't watching closely. I saw a guy donate a sandwich from Jimmy Johns to a homeless guy once, then sit down to eat lunch with him and talk; that kind of stuff makes me very happy.
I once saw an old couple feed each other a bite of granola each, then the old man kissed her cheek. It was precious.
I also regularly witness people picking their noses. But that comes with the territory.
So, I'm giving you (all two of you who actually read this) my favorite places to (creep) people-watch.
Top 5 List of Best places to People-Watch:
1. Airport
Everyone (except for the truly phobic and not-fit-for-public folks) flies at some point in their lives if you're living in modern America. There is no easier way to get to far out places and to be honest, I think people get really excited--no matter how old they are--about getting on planes. There's something awesome about it that no one can explain, but we do it anyways.
Anyways, the airport is freaking awesome just for the reason that everyone goes. Yeah, you've got your boring suits and the regular airpot security people basically dominating the place, but in between are some wacky folks. And--if your luck is anything like mine--you'll probably end up sitting next to one of the more interesting ones who have done something spectacular that they are on their way home from. You learn a lot about people when they're stressed out (and who isn't stressed out these days about getting through security?) and it's fun to see the different ways people dress and act when they're being watched by hawks who are ready to tackle them to the ground for just about any reason. Then again...sometimes they do have reason to be a little suspicious of folks who do this.
2. Library
I am positive that I am not the only weirdo who creeps on people in the library. When those around you are entirely engrossed in whatever they're procrastinating their homework on, it's really easy to just space out and watch them. Or, if you're in the computer clusters/labs, you can sometimes see what people are Googling or looking at and you learn something about them. Like the guy who I sat next to in my criminal research class? He had no clue how to use the research databases we were supposed to be searching for journal articles, so instead, he went onto his fantasy football thing and started cursing under his breath about something.
Or, what I always like to see, is when people are on websites that "mature college kids" shouldn't generally frequent. Like neopets. Or barbie.com. Because I've seen it, and it's a little funny, a little sad, and a lot telling.
No one should let go of their childhoods!
Also, people have a tendency to forget themselves when they're really into what they're studying, so they start doing weird shit that they normally wouldn't while in public.
No, I've never seen this in real life, but someone probably has.
3. Mall
This is obvious. Teeny boppers are stupid, insipid little creatures who sometimes have less personality than infants BUT they're fucking hilarious to watch while in packs. They group together like a big amoeba made of Hollister and too much eyeliner and giggle and shriek at whatever comes their way.
Old folks are also fun to watch in malls; they have absolutely no clue what to do with the cacophony and are totally befuddled by the masses of people. They scuttle from shop to shop, armed with oversized bags that they use as pseudo-shields. If one of the vendors says something to them, they freak; hold up their bags, shake their heads "no" over-emphatically, and scurry toward wherever it is they're going, eyes wide and buggy behind their massively thick glasses.
And around Valentine's Day and the winter holidays, you see men more often looking really, pathetically confused in jewelry stores as too-peppy, perky-scary-happy saleswomen try to push them toward stuff they really really shouldn't be buying.
Here's a bit of advice on that subject, boys: If it scares you to look at the ring display and you cringe when your girlfriend drops meteor-sized hints about possibly-maybe-starting to think about "it," then either walk away from the store and go get her a book or something personal but not commitment-defining, or re-evaluate your relationship.
Don't buy it if you're not ready, and for G-d's sake don't be bullied into buying it!
4. Coffee Houses
My mom bought me the little bingo-cards you see below. It's called cafe bingo and it was made for someone like me (read: a creeper) so that me and my creeper friends (read: taylor and beth) can be creepers with a purpose.
Anyways, coffee houses are great because there are people studying (so the library thing), people talking to each other and interacting(so the mall thing), and you have the crazies (because everyone likes coffee or tea, just like how almost everyone uses the airport, no matter how weird they are). Its like a big old jumble of insanity and I love it.
Also, I love coffee. A lot. Taylor and I went today and there were people playing "Magic: The Gathering." 'Nuff said.
5. Bookstores
Ok yes lets get over the fact that I'm a bookworm and a nerd/geek/freak whatever. Ok yes I like to read. A lot. And yes, I also enjoy going to bookstores and just looking at the cover art because that shit is fucking gorgeous. I want to do cover art someday, but doubtful that I'll ever be able to unless I write my own book. Which is also obscenely doubtful since I can barely update this with any regularity.
Getting over all that, bookstores are great because of the people who frequent them. There are obnoxious hipsters, yeah (if I see one more male wearing jorts, a lumberjack beard and/or those glasses, I'm gonna scream), but there are also some really really interesting types. The littler, older bookstores are the best because you usually get into the most fascinating conversations with the owners if you ask the right questions(who are by trade just amazingly interesting) and you learn about random things. Bookstores are more for conversational people-watching, which is why they're at the end of the list, but they're good if you feel like being social with people who you're not always social with.
My basic point is this:
G-d is great, Modern transportation is good, books are better, and people are fucking nuts.
Love,
Miss G.
And around Valentine's Day and the winter holidays, you see men more often looking really, pathetically confused in jewelry stores as too-peppy, perky-scary-happy saleswomen try to push them toward stuff they really really shouldn't be buying.
Here's a bit of advice on that subject, boys: If it scares you to look at the ring display and you cringe when your girlfriend drops meteor-sized hints about possibly-maybe-starting to think about "it," then either walk away from the store and go get her a book or something personal but not commitment-defining, or re-evaluate your relationship.
Don't buy it if you're not ready, and for G-d's sake don't be bullied into buying it!
4. Coffee Houses
My mom bought me the little bingo-cards you see below. It's called cafe bingo and it was made for someone like me (read: a creeper) so that me and my creeper friends (read: taylor and beth) can be creepers with a purpose.
Anyways, coffee houses are great because there are people studying (so the library thing), people talking to each other and interacting(so the mall thing), and you have the crazies (because everyone likes coffee or tea, just like how almost everyone uses the airport, no matter how weird they are). Its like a big old jumble of insanity and I love it.
Also, I love coffee. A lot. Taylor and I went today and there were people playing "Magic: The Gathering." 'Nuff said.
5. BookstoresOk yes lets get over the fact that I'm a bookworm and a nerd/geek/freak whatever. Ok yes I like to read. A lot. And yes, I also enjoy going to bookstores and just looking at the cover art because that shit is fucking gorgeous. I want to do cover art someday, but doubtful that I'll ever be able to unless I write my own book. Which is also obscenely doubtful since I can barely update this with any regularity.
Getting over all that, bookstores are great because of the people who frequent them. There are obnoxious hipsters, yeah (if I see one more male wearing jorts, a lumberjack beard and/or those glasses, I'm gonna scream), but there are also some really really interesting types. The littler, older bookstores are the best because you usually get into the most fascinating conversations with the owners if you ask the right questions(who are by trade just amazingly interesting) and you learn about random things. Bookstores are more for conversational people-watching, which is why they're at the end of the list, but they're good if you feel like being social with people who you're not always social with.
My basic point is this:
G-d is great, Modern transportation is good, books are better, and people are fucking nuts.
Love,
Miss G.
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