If you are not planning to people watch, you might not get to choose when or where you start. Standing in line at the doctor’s office or sitting in a waiting room are great chances to observe people.
Dog parks, art galleries, public transportation, and tourist spots are all great places to people watch.
Try to sit somewhere high up whenever possible. Balconies and rooftops are the ideal spots in a building.
People watching is a great way to get fashion ideas and character designs for books, movies, and plays.
Avoid bringing a large group to people watch. This will only call attention to you, and your group of friends might get bored.
Avoid wearing large hats or glasses.
Be subtle as you write things down. Don’t stare right at someone and take notes on them. Instead, steal quick glances as you observe them from afar.
You can also bring a book or magazine to act like you are reading. Plug headphones into your phone or laptop to look even more inconspicuous.
People’s clothes also say a lot about them. Layers indicate they are prepared for the weather, while showing skin can mean confidence.
People may act differently when they don’t know they are being observed.
Facial expressions are also a good indicator of mood. Scowling or scrunched faces indicate anger while raised eyebrows often indicate contentedness or relaxation.
It can also be fun to overhear snippets of people’s conversations without context.