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You may set out to people watch just to pass the time. Or, you may be looking to observe certain behaviors and mannerisms for a specific purpose. If you are looking to get information from people watching, set those goals beforehand so you know what to do as you watch. People watching is a great way to get fashion ideas and character designs for books, movies, and plays. People watching with another person is always more enjoyable. Grab a friend to sit and chat with you as you observe people. Don’t laugh at or make fun of people as you watch them with your friend. This can make people feel bad or uncomfortable. Avoid bringing a large group to people watch. This will only call attention to you, and your group of friends might get bored. You want to blend in with your surroundings. Avoid flashy shirts and lots of bling. Instead, opt for neutral colors and weather-appropriate clothes to become a person in the crowd rather than standing out as an observer. Avoid wearing large hats or glasses. If you’re people watching with a purpose, like character inspiration or costume design, you might be struck with a great idea while you are out. Take a notebook and a pencil with you when you people watch to write down any great observations or insights that you notice as you observe people. Be subtle as you write things down. Don’t stare right at someone and take notes on them. Instead, steal quick glances as you observe them from afar. Someone simply sitting and staring can be a little disconcerting to people walking by. If you don’t have a notebook, bring your phone or your laptop to look distracted as you sit and people watch. Act like you are typing a report or texting a friend instead of simply sitting and watching.  You can also bring a book or magazine to act like you are reading. Plug headphones into your phone or laptop to look even more inconspicuous. The most interesting part of people watching is making guesses about other people’s lives. To get the most out of your people watching experience, observe how people walk, talk, and interact with others to take guesses as to who they are and why they are here. People’s clothes also say a lot about them. Layers indicate they are prepared for the weather, while showing skin can mean confidence. Everyone has bad days sometimes. As you people watch, you may see some people who express behaviors you don’t quite agree with. Try to be an unbiased observer and simply take in what you see without making judgement calls on it. People may act differently when they don’t know they are being observed. Body language can say a lot about a person’s mood. Crossed arms can mean anger, hunched posture can mean sadness, and relaxed shoulders can indicate happiness. Pay attention to how people stand or sit and make guesses as to how they are feeling. Facial expressions are also a good indicator of mood. Scowling or scrunched faces indicate anger while raised eyebrows often indicate contentedness or relaxation. Note if they have an accent, a high or low speaking voice, if they seem excited or frustrated, or if they are overly quiet. Make guesses as to how they are feeling based on how they sound and if they are enjoying their conversations. It can also be fun to overhear snippets of people’s conversations without context.
Set goals for your people watching if you want to learn something. Bring a friend with you to have more fun. Wear an outfit that won’t make you stand out. Bring a notebook to write down interesting moments or people. Act like you are doing something on a phone or laptop. Think about each person that passes and who they might be. Avoid passing judgement on anyone. Observe people’s body language to pick up on their emotions. Listen to people’s voices as they talk to learn more about them.