Prompt #80 - Peoplewatching

Just look at those guys over there!

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Photo by Liam Burnett-Blue on Unsplash

Last week, I travelled from my home office in Sweden to France to spend a few days with my colleagues in the office. That meant a lot of sitting on transport: busses, metros, airports, planes.

While on the metro in the morning, it really stood out to me how sucked into their phones everybody is. Don't get me wrong, people were never particularly social on their morning commute. But a few years ago, when phone reception was still crap underground, we were at least somewhat aware of the people around us. Even when listening to music, I'd kind of absentmindedly scan the crowds and look at people. But now, we don't even look at each other anymore? No wonder we're all feeling lonely and isolated.

So this week we'll take some time to connect to our fellow humans, by being creepy and staring and them.

The Activity - Noticing Strangers

Step 1 - A time and a place

Think about your week. When and where are you surrounded by many people that you can stare at without anybody calling the cops on you? Maybe it is your morning commute? Or that table by the window in your favourite café? Or sitting in the library?

We want to identify the time and place ahead of time, so we can go there prepared with a pen and a pencil and with enough free time on our hands.

Photo by Melody Zimmerman on Unsplash

Step 2 - Notice and appreciate

Once you're there and settled in, start looking around. You can either try sketching people, if they hold still long enough. You can make little stick figures. Or you can simply write down the things that you notice, and that stand out to you.

The more you look, the more you see (I hope) how fascinating people are. Each the protagonists of their own stories, with challenges, and superpowers, and adventures. And we're surrounded by these people and their stories, most of them ready to connect if we'd like.

My Example

I drew some of the people sitting at the gate, while we were waiting for our flight to board. I was sitting off to the side a bit, so I could stare at people in peace. :)

I'd like to think that most people hold within them a story that's much for fascinating than the latest Netflix series.

I wish you a happy week, full of interesting people.

Love, Lorena