Are you a noticer?

[Iwouldneverseetheminconcert]

Is that a word? I think it is

Are you observant in life or just in your own bubble?

I was sat by the pool in a hotel complex today, watching my Dc playing/swimming and noticed people coming to the pool, the sun-bed area really filling up. Families would come around, some were on the beds right in front ot me, talking away, some arguing, not even looking at me (not that they should!) just not noticing anyone around them, which is fine obviously.
I’m a noticer and very observant of my surroundings and probably a bit too self conscious, I’m envious of these people who appear to be in their own world.
Looking around, I could easily see the ones who were like me and the ones who weren’t

Does that make sense 😅

You are watching and making judgements. You have no idea how much other people are like you or not!

We all do it though.

You are, I think, probably observant. You might come in useful when there’s been a crime - as long as you can talk about what you saw rather than what you thought.

I’ve no attention to detail on people’s features (couldn’t tell you what colour eyes half my friends have, or what car they drive; terrible at recognising people) but I have verbatim recall of conversations and situations.

Wow, ok 😅

Yes I notice would say I am an excellent observer and I think I could describe what I saw in a crime and not what I thought @BIWI

I am the friend that's asked to be a witness in signing documents etc or when needed to be in a group scenario as a witness so to speak (business world) as I am trusted to recall the facts and not what I prefer to happen if that makes sense.

Yes, I’d say I’m a noticer.

Ive never particularly noticed that some people aren’t, although I have always been envious of people who seem able to just focus solely on themselves and not be bothered by what others are doing. That’s slightly different to them not noticing others though. Im not sure if I’ve seen people eh don’t notice.

I’ve realised now I quite often do a strange thing though. I have been a bit overweight for quite a few years now and just generally don’t feel very attractive. So I sometimes just act like I’m invisible because I think I probably am.

for example, in an old job, the canteen was always very busy and sociable. When I started I didn’t know anybody, and I like to read on my lunch break anyway. I would take my massive scarf and wrap it around me like a shawl, sit in a corner, pull my knees up to my chin, and sit and read. Turned out I wasn’t invisible as when I had made some friends they mentioned it casually

I still do it. On bad days when I’m feeling a bit crap I get my big cardigan from my drawer and sit at my desk wrapped up in it and just get on with my work and think that if I don’t look up and make eye contact, people genuinely won’t notice me.

I think I'm 50/50.

I love people watching when I get a chance to lounge by a pool, or sit outside a pub in the beer garden etc.

But otherwise, I'm just busy doing my own thing and could probably pass my husband in a supermarket without noticing if I'm engrossed in the shopping.

I notice everything around me and when watching TV. I can tell you if a scene was shot in several takes, as i notice any hair being out of place on the actors between shots..dh. notices nothing around him. I can't understand that

I’m a very good noticer in some respects. I notice and retain details of what people look like, their posture, their voice, facial expressions, turns of phrase and body language. I can recognise someone I met once 30 years ago and remember their name and something of their life circumstances were at the time.

I notice nothing about my physical environment, apart from smells and the weather.

DH is also a good noticer. He could name every tree within a 2-mile radius and tell you how many of each species of bird he’d seen in the garden this morning and which houses on our street are missing a chimney pot. But he forgets people the second after he meets them, and can’t remember the names of his own nephews who he’s known for 20-odd years.

I’m similar. I also know where exits are, how to get out of a given situation in an emergency. Facial details are not clear, but body language, in terms of anyone I think may have been following me on a street for too long I am fully aware of. Even though it is always nothing sinister; I am hyper vigilant to danger in situations.

Yes I am a big noticer on the verge of being judgmental. It really riles me when other people have no awareness of others

Well i don't live in a cave on a desert island so yes I notice things so if somone was hitting a child i would notice that and would make a big judgement on that but if i saw a bird on someone's shoulder at they shops thought a bit cool for a second and moved on

But no I don't make up scenarios like a neighbour is having an affair because they leave the house 20 minutes before they normally do

I can't say I never ever judge as I am human but I don't overinflate my ego and assume I know it all

It's very possible to be a mixture of both.

I observe a lot, but I keep it to myself and prefer to remain mostly in my own bubble.

I’m very observant generally. As per PP I always know where my exits are, I can describe places, routes and people in detail, down to smell! It amazes me that others can go through life seemingly noticing nothing about the world or people around them, I often think their lives must be much more peaceful

I'm very nosy but not observant if that makes sense. I'll gaze and people watch and random abstract things will pique my interest.

But my whole family are very concrete observers and will frequently point out practical/tangible details that are "obvious" to them that I'd missed. So I know what you mean.

My whole family is like that except me! They'll all be remarking and agreeing on this tiny detail or that and I'd be like wait what? (They're not judgey or gossipy, quite the opposite. They just notice things)

Not really. I have very poor facial recognition , no sense of direction and frequently forget where I've parked my car when out. But I do pick up on weird behaviour when needed.

You have no idea how much other people are like you or not!

A little bit harsh 😊 I think she meant how much other people are like her in that they seem to be looking around and are aware of their surroundings.

I am, but you wouldn't notice it as I'm more subtle.

I notice through peripheral vision, I can look engrossed in one thing whilst actually being more mentally engaged in another.

So in your case OP, I'd have noticed you, but you'd be thinking I hadn't.

I'm exactly the same. I couldn't tell you what colour someone's shirt was but will remember their middle name forever.

@Iwouldneverseetheminconcert
I'm the same, I'm a noticer but I've always internally thought of it as "I don't miss a trick"

I notice things, from the obvious to the pretty subtle.

It's human nature to observe others. We all do it to some degree. And we all judge, whether we say or out loud or not.

I love people watching!! I am aware that I take in how people seem, their energy but remember nothing like what colour hair, eyes etc.
I saw 13 patients in clinic yesterday. I’d struggle to describe most of them physically but could tell you their past medical history and would definitely recognise their voices again.

Love this post. This is me too. It’s fascinating what can be noticed about people and several people have commented on my ability to notice small details. Maybe a bit of trauma from childhood but also a very sensitive person in general. My kids are the same and we have great debriefs after events. Unfortunately, when you feel others might notice the same about you - it becomes a bit of a curse.

I notice signs. Sounds odd but I’ve realised when I’m with friends or my husband they’ll often need the loo or be looking for X street or not know where Y cafe is or the rules or a space and I can always immediately tell them where to go because I’ve seen and read all the signs in the area automatically.

But when it comes to other people I’m in a bubble. Frankly I don’t care what most people are up to in their daily lives. It’s all usually humdrum.