I am obsessed with people watching. It is my absolute favorite activity. If I had a secret power, it would be the ability to know someone’s entire background story (the abridged version, obvs), so I could check and see what I was right and wrong about. The clues are all in the little things; a careless rip in her tights, a pinched expression when someone cuts him off on the sidewalk, her extra large coffee and downtrodden stance as she waits for the crosswalk light to change.
Is she a recent divorcee?
Is his hot little car “making up” for something?
How are that teenage girl’s daddy issues so obvious to me, a complete stranger? Was he a workaholic? Did he hit her? Was he there at all?
What makes that lady quibble over two dollars with the guy selling purses on a corner? Why does she only have frown lines, and no smile? What is her little girl learning from watching her right now?
Why is the middle-aged man with no ring on his finger SPRINTING down the sidewalk during rush hour with a ridiculously large bouquet of flowers? Is he proposing? Does he WANT to? Is he unsure what she’d say? Or, did he fuck up? And will she forgive him?
How did that young guy become homeless? Did he throw everything away for a woman? Did he gamble on something that didn’t pan out? Did he just give up?
Does she give a shit about this election? Is she going to lose her job when the polls close today? Will she stay here, or move back down south, get married, pop out a couple kids, and daydream at 40 about her days on the Hill?
Did he lose everything when the stocks crashed? Can his children still go to college? Is he going to have to take his parents in? Would he, if he had to?
Did she get laid this morning? Or maybe those rosy cheeks are just innocence. Maybe she’s never had an orgasm… From a man? From a woman? From a battery-operated device?
Is he checking me out, or the cute gay guy behind me? Would he throw away the entire life he’s built, his wife, his children, to move somewhere warm with a hot Latino man?
What do people notice when they look at you? What story do you tell?
{ 24 comments }
I too love watching people. As I sat at jury duty yesterday, it was prime real estate for just that.
Based on some of the comments, I receive (see http://visithereoften.blogspot.com/2008/10/thanks-for-noticing.html), I apparently have a look that communicates you can say anything to me.
I once had an elaborate narrative about two former coworkers.
I sometimes wonder what people think about me, as well. Mostly I hope they think I have a good sense of style.
So is that show The Mentalist based on you, or is that just a happy coincidence? (Tuesdays, 9pm, CBS)
When we finally meet, I am going to want you to people-watch me and tell me what you think my story is.
In the meantime, I saw a girl in the DMV today who was trying so hard to draw attention to herself, with a skirt that was a little too short, heels a little too high, and hair a little too bleached. She was trying SO hard to look classy but the hem was sloppy, the shoes were faux-leather and scuffed, and she ended up with the opposite effect – cheap. But she had a kind face. So I wanted to know her story and know WHY she was trashing herself.
A question best answered by…other people.
I used to play a game with some co-workers where we guessed the stories of all the people we saw when we were working. A good number of times we would interupt them, or ask one of their friends, etc who they were and stuff. Surprisingly, we were right about half the time or so, even down to their names. Best game ever.
Miss Scorpio: Oh dear lord. I think I have the kind of look that says: “Dear stranger: if you say anything to me about wrapping my legs around you, you will really miss your left arm.”
Lem: You have a fantabulous sense of style. I would totes let you dress me every day, as long as you braided my hair and did my makeup. Package deal.
Artie Lange: Never heard of it, actually. I’m suing! Or maybe I’ll just check it out first…
Charlotte Harris: That is EXACTLY what I mean! We must get coffee and people watch Dupont Circle sometime! (And, of course, “coffee” is Lilu-ese for “BOOZE.”)
Fearless: Very true. The only problem is, the stuff I want to know is the deep-dark-secrets most people would NEVER tell a stranger… there’s the rub!
Doug: It’s better in a bar or other moral-less venue (with alcohol lubrication), because you actually can get away with asking a lot more to see if you’re right.
I love watching people and trying to guess the last time they had sex and what they’re into. I totally gross myself out sometimes.
Like picturing the middle aged man crossing the street in full business attire at night with a mistress who donns a $3,000 strap-on.
I don’t think I want to know what people notice when they look at me..
People watching is also my favorite activity. I can spend hours upon hours just watching them go by and wondering….
What do people notice when they look at you? What story do you tell?
Jesus. There’s a guy who could benefit from a razor. And a bath.
Oh, I forgot to mention that this game with coworkers was done while on travel and in bars…. so yes, you are right on!
And if you guys get together in Dupont for some people watching and booze… I want in!!!
Julie: I bet I’d think; “That girl’s going to meet the love of her life tomorrow.”
Kate: 100%. I could do it all day and not get bored.
Rothko: At least you have that cute pup to make up for it.
Doug: I smell a people-watching marathon…
I like to people watch too. Once me and a co worker thru instant messenger wrote a porn about 2 co workers that we thought were doing it on the side. We didn’t get that detailed into it, we just thought up locations and stories for them to act out. It was a real productive day at work.
I think we often give people more interesting lives than they have in reality. ‘Cause everybody’s having more fun than us, right?
LBluca77: How else are we going to get through 8 hours of hell?
Lacochran: Exactly.
But I like my stories. They’re like reality TV: helping normal people everywhere feel better about themselves.
my nail polish is drawing attention for some reason – Lincoln Park AFter Dark (deep purple) – I tell them I worship Satan……………..
One of the best scenes in Annie Hall is when Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are in the park people-watching and spot “the winner of the Truman Capote look-alike contest”.
Zipcode: I lurve Lincoln Park After Dark, AND LP After Midnight: http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Lincoln-After-Midnight-Lacquer/dp/B000Z45RTK
Arjewtino: Looking at Truman Capote makes my eyes bleed and my heart hurt. I must prefer the Philip Seymour Hoffman version…
i LOVE people watching. it’s part of my dating profile- must have good hair, like spontaneous (sex) adventures, LOVE to people watch, have good hair.
find me that man and im done.
Brookem: HAAAAAAAAAAA I just peed a little! That is hilarious, and so, so true…
Love this. I do the exact same thing, ever since my mother told me, when I was a little girl, that half the things you make up about people are true. She may have made that up, but it’s always stuck with me.
I try to smile a lot, so I think people notice that about me. I look distracted most of the time, though, and I’m sure it’s obvious to onlookers that I’m always thinking deeply about something. I wonder if anyone ever notices that I grip my thumb in my hand when I’m walking.
Georgia: I wonder if anyone ever notices that I grip my thumb in my hand when I’m walking.
That is exactly what I mean! I LOVE it. And your mother sounds like an incredibly smart lady. I don’t think she was making it up at all… and even if she was… at least half of it is right
I make up stories about everyone. It’s fun if I’m by myself but even more fun when I’m with someone else who isn’t sure if I’m lying or just clairvoyant.
I don’t know what stories I’d make up about myself, if I weren’t myself. If I saw myself walking down the sidewalk. Waiting for the bus. That girl’s sad, I’d probably think. She’s tired.
I doubt I’d think ‘That girl’s a total asshole.’
So, I’d be wrong.
A. Jane Doe: You totally just made me snarf my morning coffee. Love it!