Monday, March 22, 2010....
I LOVE IT!
There, I said it with my out loud voice. But observing people in public is one of my favorite things to do -- especially, when no one is watching.
Places that are great to people watch include bars, gyms, restaurants (when someone is waiting for other party to arrive) and church (actually, watching kids and how parents react to their child is the fun part).
For purposes of this entry, I'm talking about the gym because it's been a decade + since I stepped into a church when the service wasn't for a wedding, funeral or I was visiting Westminster Abbey in London.
I love people watching in bars, but the gym is FAB-U-LOUS! I mean bright lights and no alcohol to ruin your people watching observation skills. Here is what I observed today:
- Man who wants to look like Sam Elliott. He had the long hair and moustache, but points off for the hair. It was salt-n-pepper, but mostly salt. CUT YOUR HAIR so you can eliminate the appearance of being a child molester.
- The man who walked erect across the gym floor. Ya know the ones who walk with their head so high that their face is facing the ceiling. Lucky for him there were no low walkers in the gym (low walker is one that keeps their head down, avoids eye contact - yes, I am a low walker) otherwise collision city.
- The man who clearly hasn't a clue what he's doing on the equipment and puts the weight at some insane #. Hello? Why not man up and admit you can only pull 20 lbs, but you opt for the 80 lbs and make a face as though you're constipated. Who are you trying impress? No women is going to be impressed with a man who makes bowel movement faces (okay, maybe I'm being presumptuous, I know I wouldn't find this a turn on if single); but my favorite look at the gym is:
- The woman with the fresh coat of make-up on. I'm not talking about the woman who has make-up on because she's just come from work, or someone like me who is still wearing last night's make-up because I can (okay, I was too lazy to take off). I'm talking about the woman whose foundation and eyeliner is flawless and a fresh coat of lipstick was applied nanoseconds before entering the gym. These women are fun to watch because many have read some chick mag telling them the best place to meet a man is the gym.
Yup.
I love people watching.
30 comments:
I used to like people watching at airports. So many people coming and going and some waiting and waiting.
haha. i love people watching...and trying to guess their story...
I love to people watch too! I usually go on the treadmills which are in the back of my gym so I see everyone. I know your not supposed to judge people at the gym but yeah the girls with the new set of make-up & the jewelry & the earrings...come on! lol!
I love people watching too! But I've been caught before, which is a little awkward...
Mrs. MM and I like restaurants for people watching. Then we speculate as to what is going on - "Oh, first time meeting girlfriend's friends and hating it." Been married so long they have nothing to say to each other and are miserable in each others'company. Staying together just for the kids." "Gay and totally in love. So much happier than 'meeting friends' or 'been married to long'." Try it.
You are so right about the women who go there fresh from the morning shower with full face on...they never seem to break a sweat, either. The problem with the gym is that I feel like I'm being watched too much...and I get a bit tired of putting on the full "ignore" armor any time I go. Who cares what they think, but do they have to watch everything and everyone so much?
Anyway, I like the airport too, because everyone's waiting or hurrying--and both can be so telling!
i love this post. people watching is awesome. do you ever wonder if people watch YOU? i always wonder if someone is people watching on me.
i think meeting a guy at the gym is a big old fat myth. i mean seriously i sweat like it's my job.
You are right. The men trying to impress everyone with their strength, and the women more interested in looking good than in working out.
I've seen the erect walker at my gym for sure. Something about having your face up like that also causes them to do something very strange with their ass. Sort like they're clenching it to keep something in. Perhaps they are related to BM face guy.
Do you take people watching to the next level? I invent conversations that they have with their families/friends/coworkers. I imagine jobs and crises and I give them silly cartoon voices.
It could seriously turn into a full time job....but it does make time pass at the gym.
People watching is so much fun! I love to sit in the corner of a park or bar, or better airport bars and people watch!
This was a great post! People watching at the gym is enhanced when it's your office gym. Like the guy who wears a belly shirt at my office. Or the people who sweat a lot.
Airports are also another fave and of course you know that I love to eavesdrop on people at dinner - similar to Monkey Man but not quite.
Another great people watching place is a casino. A true microcosm of American society.
The Sam Elliott thing reminds me of a game my brother and I used to always play. Just basically "spot the celebrity look-a-like." We got pretty competitive about it. I think there's usually always a Sam Elliott out there in at least 80% of crowds. I see a lot of Mick Fleetwoods too, which is kind of scary. Why aren't there more, say, Ewan McGregors or Eddie Vedders??
I love people watching too, especially here in the city!
I love to people watch as well.. never heard of a low walker and yep I;m one too.
I love this one. I used to go to bars or cafes that I knew no one would find me. I'd order a beer and pretend to be absorbed in whatever program they had on.
Secretly I was watching and eavesdropping. Some of the conversations I have "overheard" were beyond freaky, and sometimes Rated R.
The Food court at our Mall is another great people watching spot. What's funny is that you sometimes get caught watching people by those that are actually watching you. Eek!
I sometimes like to make up back stories for the people I see around me. It can be good fun. Although I did it the other day in front of my friend and she seemed a bit confused by it. Long story.
Oh my God! I am SO a people watcher! I make up names for them. Like, he is Joe. She is Carol. I sometimes want to go up and ask their names to see if I'm right.
Ahhh! I too am a people watcher and my favorite location to indulge is the gym! The people come in such a wide variety and they are so fun to giggle over. I get a kick out of the men who strain to lift way too much and the ladies with full make-up, just like you. I can never get over the girls who go and don't break a sweat, or are too absorbed in their magazines to get a good workout! Even if it was a place to meet a man, no guy who wants an athletic girl is going to even notice these girls. :)
Ha! You know I have never looked at anyone in the gym. Everyone told me it was a good place to meet a guy. But I'm zoned into my magazine on the ellpitical and not looking good and so not looking around. after reading this, I will! Free entertainment.
Glad you are enjoying the gym. I really need to join!
Hahaha! This is why I hate going to the gym so much! I'm convinced people are watching me as I go all red faced and get increasingly knackered!
Oh and, watching kids in a church is the funnest thing ever!
I was at the gym today and I was doing the same thing! The gym is THE BEST place for people watching. Who are those people that get dressed up for the gym? I really want to know why they do it!
I love it too but not at the gym! Working in retail is a great place to "People watch."
I read a post where the lady said that if she didn't wear eye makeup to the gym, people told her she looked tired. That's something to consider. I don't understand wearing foundation if you know you're going to sweat.
You're ring back tone is still stuck in my head. I'm sorry I missed you!
Hugs and love,
T
Those are some interesting observations...I think we are all people watchers to some degree.
So, you should tell us what you would see if you were watching yourself...besides the low walker. Not sure what I would be.
People watching is awesome. I like traffic jams and watching people on their cars picking their noses or constantly checking themselves out in the mirror etc.
On the subject of the erect man at the gym - we have loads of them at the gym I go to. BUT we also have one man who actually gets an erection when he's there, quite amusing and cringeworthy!
We would have SO much fun in a coffee shop together.
John and I love people watching. It's fun to have a partner in crime.
One of my favorite things to do at Disneyland is people watch - trying to figure out where they came from -
It is funny..
Love
Kelly
Can't talk now--gotta get read for school. Just wanted to drop off my link for RR :)
http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/2010/03/rants-and-raves-letters-edition.html
You probably missed out on all my Gym Rats posts that I did back in the earlier days of our blog - each week I picked a different person at our gym to write about. So obviously I totally get your point here. People watching at the gym is the best. I have their entire personalities and lives planned out in my head. But sadly I changed to a tiny gym where I see the same 4 people every day so no more material for posts :0( I need to start riding public transportation or something.
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