Do people who do ‘people watching’ unnerve you ?

[TwoMonthsOff]

I see This a lot on here
i ‘people watch’
Why are you ‘watching’ anyone ? Are your bored or lack the ability to get a book a paper and respect peoples privacy and not feel uncomfortable being ‘watched’ are you an off duty store detective who just can’t let it go in your down time ?
most people I am sure don’t like being watched or monitored to alleviate someone else’s boredom

I don't think people who are people watching are staring, just noticing what's going on around them and imagining what the might be doing.

I don't do it, but i can't see any harm in it.

I people watch all the time.

I am disabled and if we ever venture out I normally end up sitting on a bench while whoever I'm with carries on with the shopping or whatever we went out for

I enjoy watching people going about their day. I'd like to be able to do it too

I have never felt the need to even look at anyone else when I’m out and about, this is following on from the thread about eating out alone, no wonder people feel reluctant when there are others conjuring up imaginary scenarios for them !

its nice that you don’t do it

I love to people watch. I find sitting on a bench with a nice takeaway coffee and just watching the world go by takes my mind away from my own troubles.

If you don't like people looking at you then maybe stay home.

How very odd you actually feel offended by someone looking at you

Disclaimer I have anxiety so my reaction is exaggerated.

Blatant people watchers I dislike. They're nosy and unnerving they make me feel self conscious and judged. Some of them have a resting or default face or manner in staring that it makes me wonder what is going on or what they want. If they are far away and not staring and don't look threatening or like they're laughing or talking about me then I don't mind but when you feel eyes on you and you just know they're talking about you or observing what you are doing with your child ugh. Watch a TV if you want to stare at people.

People watching is not staring at people. It's sitting on a bench watching the world, and the people go by. All the better sitting with a takeaway coffee and a donut!!

I do it although I sometimes don't want to. I feel pulled into other peoples realities if i watch long enough. I think people are just fascinating. I try not to be too obvious. I do have a normal life though

Depends. At an airport or in a new town I might casually people watch. I don’t go out specifically to watch people.

I think whether you feel uncomfortable depends on how it’s done. A couple sitting and looking around - I’d feel fine. A man staring intently at me even when I’ve looked back - weird and uncomfortable. But realistically people look at you every day. Part of existence.

I have never felt the need to even look at anyone else when I’m out and about

How is that possible? Do you walk around staring at your feet or are you living alone in the Alaskan wilderness?

It’s people watching, not following. So the person watching will see you, and lots of other people, walking past. It’s a 30 second max interaction that you have no idea about. Why do you care?

This. I've never sat there staring and looking menacing. I don't people watch when I'm with anyone else either. So there would be no laughing or talking.. those people are just dicks

I love people watching. I'm neither staring nor making up imaginary scenarios for anyone. Just idling and enjoying all the people. Seriously if your ego is so fragile that you are concerned that people watchers will, er, watch you , then you have real self esteem issues. I can watch a hundred people go by me, just sitting and relaxing with a glass of wine , watching the world full of people go by- and I will not remember a single one of them once I'm gone. I think "that's a nice skirt" "he looks busy" "oh cute baby" I sometimes even think "opphh that's an awful outfit!" Or " he looks rough!" But it's fleeting and not any worry to anyone. I'm hardly heckling passers by.

Yes, this. It's just watching life go on around you, people walking past, taking in the atmosphere. It's not staring at individual people for prolonged periods of time.

For a long period this is exactly what I did because I was so sick of the staring from men and women. They might have been kind or admiring looks but I just wanted to be 'left' alone. I don't mean someone glancing or an eye lock for a second or two I mean people who actually watch you for several seconds hooked on you studying your outfit, your face, your body scanning everything. I would feel so self conscious that I find my legs getting weak and my walk becoming funny. I think people should mind their own business or be very discreet about checking other people even when they have good thoughts about the other person.

People do talk about other people and look at other people though. I always tend to think they’re probably just saying/thinking what I would think. Like if I see a mum with a toddler girl with curly hair I think ‘ooh remember when my dd10 was that age, it’s all ahead of that lady.’ Or if I see a preschooler having a wobbly I always think ‘glad those days are (barely) behind us. I remember when ds11 once threw the biggest paddy at Tesco’ blah blah blah. They’re unlikely to be critiquing you like Jo Frost in her taxi.

Why should I stay home ?

You can't control what other people do, but you can control how you react to them.

I wish !

Because people looking at you offends you 😂

I people watch too! My df used to do it. But mine’s a habit from being cabin crew and watching people if they’re suspicious. It’s not about judgement. I smile at some people, they must think I’m demented, but I’m really friendly and love chatting to random people.

Because you are coming across as some sort of thought police.

There is nothing wrong at all with people watching.

If you are worried about what people are thinking about you, then stay home. If you don't think that is acceptable (which it isn't), then get some help for your anxiety and paranoid thoughts.

Just me then clearly
but I don’t need to look at people for my entertainment or stimulation, I think it’s invasive on other peoples privacy

You don’t have privacy in public.

Because you have a problem with people looking at you?