People Watching

I really try hard not to observe people and fail miserably. Living on a mountain, a mile from any neighbours, and at least 3 miles before the nearest village sort of limits people watching. Trouble starts when we go out for a meal, shopping can be interesting and the last time i caught the bus.....two stops further than i wanted to go just because i became engrossed in some strangers behaviour.
Thank goodness i'm not in the psychology/psychiatric/police sector of work. I know i could get lost in it and become obsessed.

I love the ferry because it is used by such a large spectrum of the population.

My partner will be talking to me, I hear his words but my eyes are drawn to 'uncle Fester' sat in the next seats. It's not just the old scars and bumps and spots on his rippling bald head...he looks around, vacant, expressionless, lips moving. I realise he's talking to us...asking do we know of a taxi for his friend....we're on a ferry, in the middle of the English channel. He asks others and they look as bewildered as us. The cogs whirr slowly and i realise he's concerned for his wee friend, a thin old chap in a big coat and a flat cap who is completely out cold. Uncle Fester is not that concerned, just sort of drawing attention to his friend and his predicament...i get the impression he's a little hard of thinking at the moment due to a huge quantity of alcohol having been drunk.

People behind me, cluck disapprovingly as they sip at their coffees. Then uncle Fester attracts the attention of an older couple. The lady, and for definate thats what she was, sat next to uncle Fester, leaned close and undeterred by vapourous breath, comforted him....hubby looked on with horror as she patted uncles bald head.
I could feel my eyes begin to sparkle and the corners of my mouth twitching in expectation of a smile, a giggle or a full blown laugh.

Couples who have been long together sit slightly apart, barely talking, some are comfortable with that and eachother whilst others cast around, longing whistfully to be with that person they've spyed accross the room.

A lady, with a particularly dour look, grey hair, grey face,eyes slanted down , matching mouth and wrinkles in their unhappy downward droop catches my attention next. I don't think i've ever seen such a miserable grey visage before. Her whole body seemed to droop at the edges in dull penitious misery.
She cast around her, without expectation or even interest.....then suddenly she was joined by a skinny jolly elf whose whole face and demeanour was totally opposite to hers. His face was mobile in it's mischief and i half expected him to jump on the table and dance a jig!

Just as i thought i was hooked, a young mans voice drifted from another table, behind and to my right.....'...been in the nick twice now for drink drinin' Several others at his table started talking about their various spells in prison. I listened, captured in horror and amusement at their conversation.

My partner gave up, he could not compete with this fantastic display of humanity.
.....A lady well past her youth and better days clutched lovingly at an equally seen better days bloke. She stroked his face in expectation, lust or something....and suddenly he no longer able to control himself flung her backwards on the bench and kissed her passionately. They were lost in sight to me but not to the couple opposite who looked on with amusement. She caught my eye and we shared a moment of communal humour...i was not the only people watcher!

My partner moved his seat to get a better view at what i'd found so funny and smiled as the lady dragged the bloke off to have their wicked way.

The next morning as the ferry docked, sipping my coffee, trying to wake up, the voice of a pretty teenager, long blonde silky hair and full of sulky petulance drew my attention. She was haranging her parents, bored, tired not really wanting to have to spend time with the dreaded, dead naff oldies.
They on the other hand had been looking forward to what was probably their last break together as a family.

People watching, fascinating, dangerous and a lot addictive.