People watching. I sure don’t know how to describe this to you, but people watching brings me so much joy and entertainment (and writing material) that I could spend time doing it every day! It ranks right up there with crafting, biking, photography, and shopping!  It can be funny, sad, scary, motivating, reassuring, and can even teach me lessons about how to be a better and more thoughtful person. Let’s discuss people watching.

Places:

Any place is great for people watching, but here are some of my favorites.

 

• Restaurants

• Parks and Beaches

• Shopping centers

• Church

 

People You Will Meet:

• The Angry One. This person is walking along alone and they look like someone just stomped on their last Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup! They have the full scowl and the angry walk. They may be on the phone talking loudly and angrily about what makes them mad. Often, while storming along, they are unaware of their children or spouse who are following along at a safe, quiet distance. What is really sad, yet fascinating, is that you see these people EVERYWHERE…even in the most fun places on earth…like Disney. It is truly sad watching these people. These people do remind me of how ridiculous angry people can look and make me more aware of spreading joy, not anger.

 

 

• The Cell Phone Gang.  This group of people are the strangest to watch. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve gone out to eat and seen families at the tables around us busy on their phones and not even looking at each other. Can they not go into a public restaurant and leave their phones in their cars? Better yet, if you are going to ignore your family at dinner time, just stay home, give them a bowl of cereal and ignore each other all you want. I’ve always wanted to sit down at a table with folks who are on their cell phones just to see how long it takes them to notice that I’m there!  Oh, and don’t get me started on the people in waiting rooms with small children who play on their phones and ignore their kids. Not only is it dangerous (since someone could lure away the kids without the parent noticing), but think of all the wasted quality time you could have talking quietly to your child, naming objects, looking at the Highlights Magazine, playing I Spy, doing homework, or even just talking. Sometimes it is the parents who shove the phone in a toddler’s hand and use the phone as a babysitter. That is so very sad and such bad parenting. The Cell Phone Gang is no fun to watch…unless of course, they fall into a fountain or trip while walking and texting…then they are hilarious! These people remind me to live in the moment and enjoy the people that surround me!

 

 

 

• The Fun Ones. These people are awesome! They walk by laughing, chatting, holding hands with their spouse or kids, smiling at other people around them and just enjoying the moment. They slow down when following someone walking slower and don’t get angry. They talk  to each other at the table. They smile and make eye contact with the servers, cashiers, or even the speaker at churches or other meetings. They are seemingly happy and pleasant people who are fun to watch. They make me smile and remind me that my love, joy and peace should be visible to others in this crazy, mad-house or a world!

 

 

 

• The Good Mom/Dad. Nothing is more heartwarming to me than to see parents being great parents in public! Little ones on a date with their mom or dad usually bring tears to my eyes. The mom or dad who plays on the swings with his/her child instead of surfing the web is my hero. The parent who has the children in the grocery store, crossing items off of the shopping list or retrieving items from the shelf is teaching important life-long skills! I love to see parents intentionally making memories with their children. No matter how small a gesture seems, it will mean a thousand times more when that child it grown and thinks back on their childhood. I just love watching all the different ways that people find to connect with their children.

 

 

 

• The Terrible Teens. Okay, these people are sad and hilarious all at the same time. I can’t tell you how many temper tantrums I seen thrown in public by 13-19 year olds. When I see this, I wonder if the parents were the ones who were too busy on their phones and ignoring their kids when they were young. I mean, by the time a child is 5 you should have taught them to have complete respect for what you tell them. So, if they are having a hissy fit at age 15….ask yourself if it’s your fault for not teaching them respect. Now, I know that kids can be rotten on their own, even if you have taught them better, so don’t get all upset if you think I’m saying your a bad parent. Every person is born with that rebellious sin nature and it can show up not matter how great your parents were/are. So, I love watching some of the ridiculous things teens do in public and think it’s acceptable. I feel embarrassed for them and their parents, but have to admit that I find tons of humor at the same time.

 

 

 

• The Unique. I just love watching these people!!! The crazy clothes, the wonky hair, the large tattoos, the funky beards, the skimpy clothes, the odd piercings, the interesting gait, and so on.  These individuals intrigue me! I love how they are not afraid to be themselves! I love how sometimes they are also the Good Mom or Dad or the Fun Ones. It’s great when they surprise me by doing acts of kindness for others!  I just adore how you cannot judge these books by their covers! Watching these folks reminds me to be non-judgemental and to look for the good in everyone! They remind me that when God looks at me, he doesn’t see my quirkiness or judge my outside…He sees my heart! What a great reminder of Christ’s Love.

 

 

As usual, I could go on all day describing all the different types of people I’ve seen. The Aging Lovers, The Fun-Loving Teens, The Friend Packs, The Church Sleepers, The Grumpy Church Folks, and on and on it goes!  Just look around and enjoy some free entertainment and some introspection about which group you may belong to when out and about! Be sure to smile at anyone that makes contact with you and say a cheerful “hello!” You just might make their day!

 

Listfully yours,

Vicki