Page 2 | My Dad always People Watching

Aquamarine1029 · 04/08/2021 17:41

@Justmuddlingalong

We people watch and give some of them names too. All part and parcel of a holiday IMHO.

I just laughed out loud

My grandmother would do this and she would make up funny backstories, too. I loved it.

TillyTopper · 04/08/2021 17:43

My DM does this - drives me bonkers. Fortunately she has now kept observations to nice things only but it's taken ages to "train her". Our conversations go: Her: Look at the size of her. Me: She has a lovely smile/I love her dress colour. It's draining.

bluebeck · 04/08/2021 17:44

My grandmother would do this and she would make up funny backstories, too. I loved it.

That's what I do!!! Always have. I give people names, and decide that "Stan and Beryl come here every year at the same time, so long as Stan can get someone to look after his allotment and Beryl's niece can come and stay to look after her 11 cats..."

If your dad is always saying negative things then that's tedious, but being observant and talking about people you see is pretty normal I thought

XenoBitch · 04/08/2021 17:48

I love people watching, and make up back stories for them. See a cuddly couple? They are married, but not to each other etc that sort of thing. It is fun and light hearted.

Can't stand it when people just point out the negative. I used to have a friend like that. Would comment on teeth, eyebrows, hair etc, you name it. Try and counter with something nice.

fourminutestosavetheworld · 04/08/2021 17:48

Some people are observant, some aren't.

I daresay he can't help noticing these details, and doesn't see anything wrong in mentioning them to family as small talk or idle conversation.

If he was indiscreet or said it to them, you'd have a point.

Livpool · 04/08/2021 18:01

My DM does this (and me but to a much lesser extent). I always thought it was normal to be honest.

Maybe we are just nosy 🤦🏼‍♀️

Marmitemarinaded · 04/08/2021 18:02

People watching?

He doesn’t sound like a people watcher.

He sounds like a judgemental up his own arse fool

budgun · 04/08/2021 18:03

@Marmitemarinaded

People watching?

He doesn’t sound like a people watcher.

He sounds like a judgemental up his own arse fool

This. Watching people and making negative comments do not have to go hand in hand.

Marmitemarinaded · 04/08/2021 18:07

I love to people watch with my children

“Spot the woman with the red shoe”
“Spot the man tickling his daughter”
“Spot the boy eating a mr whippy ice cream”
“Spot the man with a Hawaiian shirt”

That’s people watching

Your father is engaging in negative bitching

I don’t think I ever heard my beloved late father ever “bitch” about someone.

Must be shit

Longdistance · 04/08/2021 18:09

I’m a people watcher I love it, but I don’t sit there commenting on people. I’m so aware of the environment I walk in, my dh would miss things. I was sitting in a park last week and watched a drug deal go on. Was watching everyone else and no one was looking. I’m so eagle eyed. My eye range is mad, it’s like I have eyes at the back of my head.
You df sounds judgmental. Sounds exhausting.

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 04/08/2021 18:10

DM does that, but it's usually about their looks or dress sense, and it's never complimentary. And this isn't on holiday, it's in the Sainsbury's café. My local one. Some of these people are my friends. It really passes me off. But then she'll say "sorry I'm not perfect." It makes me want to scream.

Hemingwaycat · 04/08/2021 18:11

I enjoy people watching. DH and I do it in restaurants, we make names and life stories up for people.

Hadalifeonce · 04/08/2021 18:13

We always do stuff like this on holidays. We used to sit in the airport and guess nationalities.
It's become more difficult these days, as the world is more cosmopolitan.

Wingedharpy · 04/08/2021 18:14

I love people watching too, and if I can eavesdrop - bonus!

Wingedharpy · 04/08/2021 18:16

But don't ask me to be a witness to a crime incident - I've a rubbish memory.

barbrahunter · 04/08/2021 18:20

My Mum used to stare at people and eavesdrop on their conversations, it used to drive me mad.

Not only that, but she used to turn to me while the people were still in front of us and start explaining to me what the people had been saying.

Not only that, but she used to get the wrong end of the stick about their conversations/relationship to each other while the people were still in from of us

It wasn't as if I were trying to actively watch/listen to the people, it's just that Mum was so spectacularly wrong about them.

Floogal · 04/08/2021 18:24

Years ago I went to New York with family. We got a ferry to the statue of liberty island. To cut long story short, my dad and uncle were more interested in people watching than looking at the statue. 😂🤣 Still can't understand why they did that

girlmom21 · 04/08/2021 18:28

I don't think what he's saying, apart from the comment about what someone was wearing the night before depending on his tone, is nasty in anyway so I'm not really sure why people are insulting him.

Make it fun OP. Like others have said, make up little elaborate stories with him for entertainment.
If he's commenting on someone's age or what they're eating from the buffet so he's probably bored. Not his fault there's no riveting conversation happening.

Onlinedilema · 04/08/2021 18:37

Do people really do this?
I’m very unobservant and like my own space too. I’m not remotely interested in strangers.

Sparklingbrook · 04/08/2021 18:39

@Onlinedilema

Do people really do this? I’m very unobservant and like my own space too. I’m not remotely interested in strangers.

Yes, they do. I'm not interested in the strangers but can admire a nice dress. Making up what they do for a living is a bit of a laugh. I can't have deep meaningful conversation with DH the whole evening.

Marmitemarinaded · 04/08/2021 18:40

@girlmom21

I don't think what he's saying, apart from the comment about what someone was wearing the night before depending on his tone, is nasty in anyway so I'm not really sure why people are insulting him.

Make it fun OP. Like others have said, make up little elaborate stories with him for entertainment.
If he's commenting on someone's age or what they're eating from the buffet so he's probably bored. Not his fault there's no riveting conversation happening.

This is an odd post.

Why can’t he start a “riveting conversation”?

And read the op.

She gives two examples and both are critical. 1 for wearing the same clothes. 1. For having a drink.

girlmom21 · 04/08/2021 18:56

@Marmitemarinaded because he's got nothing riveting to say - clearly.

I don't think saying someone looks younger than 18 is critical...

Hawkins001 · 04/08/2021 18:58

@wavesshore

I like my Dad but he is such a people watcher always been like it, when I've been on holiday with him and DM he's always commenting on other people such as "Look at him he's wearing the same thing as last night", "Look at him dinking alcohol he doesn't look 18". I feel like telling him that I don't care and stop being nosy. Would this drive you mad or is just normal conversations?

Is he a trained intelligence officer, ? As that is a useful skill to enhance and to have.

Dozer · 04/08/2021 19:00

As PPs say, if most/all his comments are negative - and not comical - that’s draining.

NecklessMumster · 04/08/2021 19:07

My dad used to do this, he died at 84 yrs. I kind of miss it now but it was very embarrassing. He didn't have a filter, and had a loud 'teachers voice". He was a very compassionate man but had certain blind spots..like tattoos. On holiday once he stared at this man with big leg tattoos and said very loudly: ' look! Look at that idiot!'.