Americans, unfortunately, are not a contemplative breed. They often prefer action over reflection, sometimes with unfortunate results. Personally, I lean towards the philosophy of “look before you leap.”
When troubled by an event, you can either sink into desperation or seek a viable alternative to your problem. My way of coping with the blues is to sit at a café and watch the people strolling by. With the proper training, this can be highly entertaining and therapeutic—and far superior to any numbing television fare.
The art of people-watching consists of making quick, candid assessments of passersby. Articulating freely thoughts that one would never say in polite society but might share with a like-minded wicked friend.
For instance, here comes a partially bald, pot-bellied elderly man sporting a ponytail. I generally like ponytails, but on this fellow, it doesn’t look very smart. Bald men don’t wear ponytails; it is like fat people wearing bikinis. Nevertheless, it’s still a free country, so enjoy the freedom before a more rigid dress code is imposed on us.
Here, is a chubby girl wearing very short shorts. On a slender person, this might look graceful, but on her, it looks grotesque. Sorry, young lady, but it’s best to dress according to your body type rather than what might look good on Kim Kardashian.
A group of cyclists clad in shiny, tight-fitting uniforms suddenly appears. They all look elderly, past sixty, walking slightly stooped like geriatric patients. They look silly but somehow praiseworthy.
A young woman tightly wrapped in black yoga pants shows up. Nice buns, likely eliciting jealous looks from less fortunate women, but pleasing to the eye. Always be thankful for what the gods gifted you… and yes, if you’ve got it, you’re allowed to display your wares.
Suddenly, a sexy-looking middle-aged woman with alluring, swaying curves floats by. Praise the Lord! Candy for the eyes and balm for the soul. Stimulating and well worth a front-row seat and a cup of coffee.
In conclusion, I guarantee that a regular session of people-watching is more beneficial and less costly than a single seance with any shrink. For the sake of your sanity, keep looking and laughing at people whoever they are, and whatever they are. When you stop laughing, it is too late.
Alain