Is it normal to observe how other people behave/act/socialize around others?

8 Comments

I like to find what's common among other people. I observe some of the people around me, it doesn't really matter how well I know them. And I notice how others act, what they say and how they do certain things. I sometimes observe how other people integrate themselves into a conversation or meeting someone random. I'll sometimes ask a close friend that's next to me if it's normal or common for someone to do something a certain way, like flirting with someone or introducing themselves to other people. I can't really help it; it's just something I notice because I'm naturally observant. Is this kind of thing normal?

Of course it's normal 46
Hell no, you weirdo 5
Maybe, just don't be too obvious 14
Not really... 4
Yes, I do this too 30
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Comments ( 8 )
  • DiscoDuck
    12 years ago

    People watching is fun

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  • randomguy111
    12 years ago

    If you didn't then you would not be able to tell if someone else likes you very easily. Doing this can deduce if someone really likes you or not (as a friend or as a potential girlfriend/boyfriend).

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Sounds normal. Besides, you're learning social skills from other people, by observing them, that's pretty cool!

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      12 years ago

      Exactly, I know that I can be kind of socially awkward sometimes and I'm not the best at getting to know new people so I learn from what other people do and how they do it. It's not copying, just finding out what's most common and what isn't.

      Thank you so much for all of the comments, they have been very helpful.

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  • radiatelove
    12 years ago

    i'm a very observant person and i'm actually very shy so i've found that just watching or listening to others in class helps me get a feel as to what kind of people they are and if we would click before i try talking to them and find out that our personalities don't mesh well at all.

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  • graphic_nature
    12 years ago

    My boyfriend enjoys people-watching and eavesdropping. I enjoy being blissfully unaware.

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  • equanimity
    12 years ago

    The first thing a human being does when confronted with a new situation is look at all the other humans standing around to see what they are doing.

    This is part of your DNA, dude. Of course it's normal. We all do it. But some of us are more intrigued by it and have a more analytical mind--maybe that's you. Normal.

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  • Gena45
    12 years ago

    I do this all the time. I'm just hyper-observant. Maybe you are too. It might not be common, but it's still normal.

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