People Watching.....
I am what I would commonly refer to as a
“people watcher”…
No! Not the stalker kind lol…
I simply love to observe people.
WHY?
Every single one of us has a story, and our “day to day actions” are expressive depictions of precisely that. From the time we wake up, (wherever we may wake up and however we wake up) through to the time we close our eyes through sheer exhaustion or out of choice – we continue to tell our tale…..
I quite like a soundtrack to accompany most of my life – so this is the one I have selected for the entering of this post… (Use it – don’t use it…whichever – lol)
My enjoyment in the observation of this – is because the observation is what allows me to see beyond the skin. It is what affords me the opportunity to look at the REAL person… you know – the one underneath all the fashion, fancy and pretence.
I like REAL people!
The ones that give of themselves. The ones that tell it like it is. The ones that are brave enough to take off their masks and let the world see them for who they are no matter what anybody thinks!
But I am completely intrigued by all the rest, honest and not. Many of them, I would never get the opportunity to even speak to – so observation and summation is all that is granted – but it is wildy educational to say the very least.
Today, I saw many things – many people – and many a circumstance.
Exposure to this kind of observation makes one think – if you are the ”thinking” kind that is.
TODAY I SAW
A man standing at what we South Africans refer to as a robot, but what others call a traffic light. I see him daily as we travel the same route. He NEVER looks up at you out of sheer pride I suppose, but on occasion, I have had the opportunity to look RIGHT into his eyes and they are the most piercing blue eyes I have ever seen. Today, he had acquired a pair of sunglasses, so he could stand with his placard and be just that “little less” shameful – because nobody could actually look him directly in the eye.
Who is he? Where is his family? How did he get to where he is? Is it really possible that there is absolutely NOBODY there to support him? Having to beg for money at a robot must rank high in the humiliation department, and I cannot help but wonder how, where and when his life took that direction… when did he give up on himself? Is it just easier? Or does he simply not care anymore?
TODAY I SAW
A woman in a public bathroom that was so completely preoccupied with “puckering up” her breasts for the general male public that she was completely oblivious to her toddler that was very sweetly and obediently attempting to wash her hands after using the toilet – but had actually turned on the hot tap and was busy burning her tiny little hands.
Are your tits really that important? Because in my opinion, my dear… anybody that you are going to attract solely through the elaborate display of your mother bearing goods is not going to be anybody fit enough to guide that beautiful little girl through her life… so you might just want to think about that and move along swiftly!
The most beautiful thing I saw in this instance… was… (no, not the mothers tits!) – but the little girls reaction to it all. After scolding her tiny little hands in the piping hot water and sobbing, she courageously began to sing “shake it off” – the Taylor Swift song for those of you that are confused ;) How AWESOMELY brave and cute is that?!?!
TODAY I SAW
A parent and child walking across a bridge - The child could not have been older than four… but he was allowed to simply run off on his own on a bridge with high volume traffic.
No, ok – WHAT?! Are you for REAL?!
Your child is not a mobile phone… ok?! You cannot just go and get a replacement in the morning when it has been totalled by an oncoming car after running out into the middle of the road for a reason that we will most likely never grasp!
Look, I am not one of those mothers that expects their child to walk around in bubble wrap… but that is just sheer stupidity in my opinion!
TODAY I SAW
Myself. Yip. Today I saw myself.
After going out and watching the eldest child of one of my close friends, I decided to speak up as to what I thought I saw… which was low self-esteem and a desperate cry for love and affection.
I was a little nervous (naturally) to bring this observation up – but as life is simply magnificent… ALWAYS (when you anticipate it to be such)… she was SOOOOO receptive and completely welcoming! She even went as far as to tell me that she absolutely LOVES how honest I am with her and that this is essentially how she gauges people.
It was something I simply felt compelled to share with her because it was something I could complete relate to myself - , and as I really DO value her as a friend – I am ever grateful that she took it precisely from whence it came – which was a GOOOOD place ;)
I could literally go on ALL night with “What I saw” but I shall endeavour not to bore you all to death lol
People are ENORMOUSLY interesting subjects to study. It is a pastime that will never get tired for me ;) Perhaps some of my summations are spot on – pershaps some not… but from the ones that have come into my sphere and actually unfolded… have been almost to the T.
There is so much to be learnt about others - if you can bring yourself to sit silently and observe….
Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx
Wow @jaynie you really get to take in a wide diaspora of the human being. The boob mom would have really irked me.
yeah... took a LOT not to say anything!
People see everything, every detail.
hmmmm... not all people....
Of course
This post has received a 1.07 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @jaynie.
Wow @jaynie you have observant nature and tender heart, please never loose them. They are your most valuable assets.
I am very impressed and This is me being totally honest. Not telling you this to get an upvote, worth little pennies. So please don't disgrace my honesty with upvote. Just connect with me. That is all I want having honest people around me. Following @jaynie
If you are honest in your approach - you are few and far between! :)
Why did you upvote??. I told you not to. This means you don't believe what I just said. Why do people always think that there is always a motive behind everything? My motive was not to get upvote, I just read your post and felt an urge to connect with you. That is it.
And you should also learn to respect other peoples choices. I did not upvote your comment because I thought you wanted it. I did it because I wanted to - because what you had to say, meant something to me. You cannot control what others do, so let that go! The mere fact that I upvoted your comment does NOT mean that I disrespect what you said... but I do not HAVE to listen to what you TELL me to DO! - I am a free spirit, and you are not my dictator :)
Here it is finally an honest comment from an amazing girl. That is what I saw in you. Sorry if I offended you, that was not my intent. I certainly do respect your choices... Soo here is the peace offering. A peace flag!
No offence taken :) And no need to wave any flags :) I simply appreciated your positivity, so thank you! - and now... we have most definitely connected ;)
lol..hahaha
true story :)
Dear @jaynie .
Your thoughts are close to mine. As street photographer my shots are commonly people. I search common shots with non-common feelings.
https://steemit.com/greek-trail/@otsouvalas/street-art-photography
Very nice job. Keep shooting!!!
This post has received a 33.22 % upvote from @aksdwi thanks to: @jaynie.
I dine on people watching, I actually impersonate other people with a comedy act, it always improves my day.
Love me some people watching! This would be a fun and creative post to do every once in a while. #peoplewatching I'll be sure to document my next experience. Nothing, imo opinion, is more riveting than simply watching other humans behaviors. Glad to see I'm not the only person that does this and asks all the questions like you.
47.39% @pushup from @jaynie
I grew up a lot like that last friend.
When i went to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst there would be over 25,000 people walking around and I swear people watching was the best because you would get such variety of conversations and things happening around you all at once.