# People watching **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 10, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455 "2019-08-10T13:55:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/1 "2019-08-10T13:55:22Z")
What is the best spot in the world, or just in your experience, for people watching? Here are my criteria for a good spot: Comfortable and safe place to sit without being significantly hassled; diversity of people in all characteristics, including the obvious (age, gender, ethnicity) but also in appearance (the beautiful, the unusual, the bizarre, the eye catching, and more) and even behavior; decent air quality and a lack of revolting odors. What are yours? What spots qualify? There are lots of places in NYC and DC that meet the first two criteria - the third is a bit harder in big cities. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/2 "2019-08-10T14:32:53Z")
Well, a park seems to tick all the boxes. I would imagine that even Central Park has significantly better air quality than the rest of the city. People are generally going to be doing their own thing and not notice you, or how long you’ve been there or what you’re doing. I suppose the downside is that you’re only going to be observing a subset of _behaviours_, as people are there mostly for enjoyment and recreation. Not that that’s necessarily an issue. You could couple that with a few hours people-watching at a train station. Again, everyone is going to be preoccupied with doing what they’re doing, and unlikely to give you a second glance. Different behaviours to observe than a park too, as people are more likely to be stressed. Air quality though; maybe not so good! ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/3 "2019-08-10T14:34:31Z")
P. S. My particular favourite spots for people watching are Hyde Park and Waterloo Station. Both of which I’ve had cause to be in with time on my hands and nothing else to do. By the way, I read that as “decent air quality and a lack of revolving doors” 😕 :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/4 "2019-08-10T14:49:41Z")
The Boardwalk in Bossier City, Louisiana. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/5 "2019-08-10T15:01:33Z")
They’re not casually accessible any more, but like RobDog’s train stations, airport waiting lounges where you can see the corridor. Everyone’s in the middle of doing something so you’re getting a three-second snippet of their lives. Some are running late or otherwise hassled so there’s drama. Some are excited to be on vacation, some are flying to Detroit for the umpteenth time because Marketing can’t pull their head out of their ass, so there’s variety. Dress is also variable, from practically bathrobe and flipflops to Armani. You do get the occasional whiff of half-burned kerosene. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/6 "2019-08-10T15:07:00Z")
People watching as a way of life rather than an occasional past time can happen anywhere. I have lived in the same neighborhood for 70 years. I have watched young men and women get old and die. I have seen their ups and downs and struggles in life, divorces, career highs. I have watched young people come into their own and find themselves then struggle with their new success. People are fascinating. Most of us are always changing, some of us remain remarkably stable and the same throughout their lives. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/7 "2019-08-10T15:19:32Z")
I lived in central Florida for a short stint in the late 90s and had a Disney annual pass for a couple years. On a few occasions I went by myself to the Magic Kingdom just to sit on Main Street USA just to people watch. I was always amazed for being the supposedly “happiest place on earth” how many people were so angry looking and miserable. Crying kids. Parents yelling at crying kids. Spouses fighting. People looking stressed and edgy. It gave me a better perspective and mindset for when I returned there a decade or so later with my wife and kid about how to relax and really enjoy the place. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/8 "2019-08-10T15:28:25Z")
When I was a teen we went for a week to Atlantic Citevery summer (pre-casino days) and used to sit on the boardwalk to people watch. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/9 "2019-08-10T16:19:37Z")
What I would like to know is, who is watching the watchers? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/10 "2019-08-10T16:56:13Z")
Another good place is any bus stop. People come and go and many are willing to have conversations with you while they wait. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/11 "2019-08-10T17:06:04Z")
Right where I’m at right now. I sit at my desk, and I can see the parking lot of my strip mall, with all the people going in and out of the various stores and restaurants (including mine). I can see down the road a ways in both directions, and there’s a park where people play the game of the season. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/12 "2019-08-10T17:13:54Z")
[Waterloo Station, London](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_MqfF0WBsU). ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/13 "2019-08-10T17:25:57Z")
The beach on a pleasant summer’s day. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/14 "2019-08-10T19:17:11Z")
A Paris café. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/15 "2019-08-10T20:34:44Z")
Venice beach ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/16 "2019-08-10T20:46:00Z")
Jackson Square, New Orleans. Hands down. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/17 "2019-08-10T21:20:19Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Venice beach Seconded. The variety is impressive. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2019, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/18 "2019-08-10T23:45:53Z")
A farmer’s market, from the farmer’s side of the table. You get not only to watch, but also to talk to people. Well, some of them, anyway. You get to say ‘good morning\*’ to all of them, and some of them will join in. \*I’ve done this so often at one market that on the less common occasions when I do an afternoon one I have a tendency to say “good morning” at four in the afternoon. This may lead to other conversation, of course. ---
**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/19 "2019-08-11T00:45:39Z")
I’ll add a third vote for Venice Beach in California. Totally safe place to be. On a pleasant day, year round, the spectrum of people can’t be beat. And you can even walk along the strand to heighten the experience. Then it’s a short walk to the Great Western Steak & Hoagie Company on Lincoln for a decent (replica) Philly cheesesteak. Yum! And if you want a beer, visit Hinano Cafe on Washington. Yowza! ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455/20 "2019-08-11T00:57:50Z")
Any amusement park anywhere; best place ever. And if its a free admission and parking park such as Knoebels even better; best show, even had background music, and it doesn’t cost you a dime. Second choice would be outside a non-university art school; one of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh type places. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-watching/838455.md?page=2)