People watching

People at a Dutch train station

People watching or crowd watching is the act of observing people and their interactions, usually without their knowledge. This differs from voyeurism in that it does not relate to sex or sexual gratification. Eavesdropping may accompany the activity, though is not required.

People watching is often an activity that people do to gain a first impression or simply for fun to pass time. Anyone can people watch, but it works best in a crowded, populated area. Some key things to do are to eavesdrop and watch body language. Many writers and storytellers get inspiration through people watching.

Uses

Many authors use people watching as inspiration for characters in their books and stories. Seeing people on the street or in a restaurant and eavesdropping on what they are saying can be extremely informative and inspirational for a person who is trying to create a new story. It can also be used just for fun and relaxation.

Naturalistic observation

People watching is not to be confused with naturalistic observation. Naturalistic observation is used for scientific purposes. It uses the same techniques as people watching. The key is to not let anyone know that you are observing him or her. People are in their natural environment, so there is no pressure for them to behave a certain way, as they would feel if they knew they were being studied. Scientists often are fond of this method because people are acting naturally and not acting how they are expected to act.