People watch
I love people gazing in public spaces.
Have had many awkward situations when I was caught peering at someone or straying into their life more than just watching them and observing. For instance, once I was observing a person making the choice of ice cream at a shop in Nerul Navi Mumbai. I was intrigued by this randomness, as he flitted from black current to vanilla to butter scotch. I was just observing and judging as well, I didn't know that content in this hobby of mine isn't essential but just stick to the gazing part only. So in this instance, the person actually offered me ice cream, mentioning that with my big eyes, if I look at his food, he might get stomach upset. So learning from them, is to be discrete and nonjudgemental about it. Both aren't my strong points, a lot of work still to be done. I cannot reduce the size of my eyes, and being nonjudgmental, I am human after all. So those fleeting thoughts come and go. Would like to put in efforts not to hold on to it.
This hobby is pursued even in an office environment, when meetings are happening you are constantly observing who is delivering certain stuff just for the sake of it or who has his intentions intact. These are mental notes as to how to and how not to behave for the best effects in the professional world.
The best is on family occasions, I wield a camera on most. I use that as a safety net around me. If I keep myself busy with it, I can avoid a lot of eye contacts, which can actually lead to conversations like, You seem to have put on some weight or You seem to be tanned and they don't go beyond that. So such are best to be avoided, as those are inputs of no use to me or trigger me to give a reaction.
Had a big event yesterday for the foundation which our son runs for raising funds for education for kids across India. @Hundred4Future. So I had a gala time doing my favorite hobby. People gazing and making mental notes.
There were some curious ones, who just strayed into the gallery. So now they were in a fix to browse through 50 odd photographs which were on display and be amazed at it as well. We as volunteers were there to be helpful, some of us super helpful to explain to them each of the photos and their intent. Only after a couple of these “intent talks” is when I realized that they aren't interested in them and they are itching to get out asap. Polite were they to listen to all that I had to blabber.
Another set was some who would walk into the gallery, just so that they could grab the snacks and beverages. Interesting were they that I couldn't observe a tad bit of guilt written over their faces when they were gulping down the cakes. Or was it my assumption? I would definitely have such an expression if I would be doing it. Then there were some, who just attack the snack corner without any drama of seeing the gallery. They were the bold ones, who even carried some biscuits for their friends who were waiting for another event that was happening on the other side.
Then there were aspiring photographers, they didn't care about the cause associated with the event but were interested in knowing how to exhibit if such an event happens next time. Very focussed on their mission to take their art to the common man.
There were some deep observers, who spent minutes on each of the artworks and had many questions about them. Hope it would turn out to be a sale at one point.
Then there were clickers, just clicking away the art, were they hoping to copy it from those photos, then all of these are put up on our Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/hundred4future/, you might get a better copy from here.
Some pouters were there too, selfies with art, to post on the gram. Maybe to show that I am an art enthusiast or I am associated with a cause on a Sunday evening when you are just Netflixing. See the judgement remains …. I would like to believe that if the levels of it are maintained at this level it isn't toxic and is actually enjoyable or healthy bitchy. It's only me to decide!
