Q&A for How to Begin People Watching

When you watch people, you just watch them. You watch the way they walk, the way they talk, etc. You should be nice while doing it, so they don't notice, and you don't disturb them. But when you stare at people, you watch them directly. It can be annoying.

Not at all! Stalking is a determination to follow a chosen target relentlessly, following them and being wherever they go. People watching is about being observant and carefully viewing a wide range of people wherever you happen to be. You won't know the people you're observing generally, you probably won't ever see most of them again, and even if you do know them, you aren't setting up a pattern of constantly following and harassing them. Totally not the same thing.

People-watching is not spying. It's more discreet, it's not just focused on one specific person (you're observing the people around you in general), and it doesn't involve following anyone around or anything like that. It's usually done in public places where there are a lot of people sitting around or passing by. It's an innocent thing, and the description of the article explains why people enjoy doing it.

There is always a chance of that. Just try not to openly stare. Look at someone and then look away. If someone gets angry at you, just apologize.

Check if the person is moving their head around or if they seem to be looking at one thing. If they are watching you when you are moving, check if they turn around to face you when you move.

Buy a set of binoculars, that might increase your range. Don't use them to look into people's homes or yards, though, as this is an invasion of privacy, and usually illegal.

First, examine your own behavior. Ask yourself if your actions or appearance are appropriate to where you are and what you are expected to be doing. Second, ensure that you are fully abiding by any national, local or organizational laws or rules that apply to where you are. Third, be conscious of any traditions or manners that may cause your behavior to be frowned upon or viewed negatively. Once you have satisfied these conditions, in most Western countries, you are free to express yourself in any way that you choose, whether it be clothes, accessories, hair style, piercings, tattoos etc. Avoid confrontation. Move away if possible. It's also possible you're misinterpreting the look.

Search "live webcam feeds" on YouTube. There are a lot of webcam feed that show streets, parks and even zoos.

People watching is the art of observing people around you. Social psychology is a type of people watching. You can watch the behavior of people in their social settings. People watching lets you gain knowledge about people and communication.

If you see them staring a lot, then you can know they're looking at you. Sometimes though, it's more of a feeling that you're being watched. You may have caught glimpses from the corner of your eye or you just feel a sense of discomfort or unease. If so, look around to see if anyone is observing you from afar.

Some people find it interesting, educational, even fascinating! If you're not so inclined, no problem.

No. It is considered stalking only when you constantly follow a person. Don't follow them home.