"Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none." - Benjamin Franklin
Middle of the Day, Blasting Heat, Middle East
The author’s impressions while people watching and fellow airline passengers, what they do, who they are in one of the busiest airport terminals in the world---Dubai International, Unite Arab Emirates.
The art of people-watching involves studying the subjects (people of all sizes, shapes, and colors), guessing who they are, where they are coming from, where they are going, what they are doing, and guessing at what they are thinking. It’s been said that the experienced people-watcher is the same as the amateur social scientist.
I think anyone will agree with me that they shall never see more people from as many countries gathered in one place with one common thread of life---getting transported from one place to another---an airport. Like a multi-part scene in a movie script, multi-plots and storied begin to unfold in a world stage.
Sadly though, it’s not enough time to make friends or acquaintances, so it’s a mind and selfish game of sizing people up. I admit it is like spying without getting caught, but then again how many more books, magazines, newspapers can one keep on reading before death by boredom sets in? So, I am reluctant to slip into some form of a pastime. So, relax and read some of my activities through my eyes.
---European vacation. A family of four, from Germany I think, completing an endless vacation in an exotic location coming to an end. Mom has a tired look, her mind drifting away about all the household chores still to come but happy for the relaxing time---or is she relaxed? There’s Dad, unmistakably true , his mind deep into thought about what faces him at work next week. These are the typical study of today’s nuclear family.... I think they only reflect the reduced vacation weeks characteristic of the growing trend today for the nuclear family. Look----there’s the daughter, in electronic captivity---Ipod headphones on, eyes closed and enjoying the music---and playing on one of those hand held Play station machines. Multi-task oriented, she is a citizen of the digital age of electronics, were humanity is propelled forward into the digital dungeons of thought and mind. Younger son and brother, no different than his sister, armed with the latest gadgetry. He too is deeply entrenched in digital warfare and 3D gamery. The only difference is he looks up now and then to check out the chicks walking by.
A young couple, looking solidly in love, their gaze fixed on each other. Perhaps a honeymoon, a lustful escape into paradise. I wonder how their marriage will end up? Or are they doomed into the growing trend of divorces. Who knows what they may be up in the next night or two...?
Languages heard: German, French, Hindu, Czech, and Balkans. And oh yes, English of course. Or is it? People communicating in more ways than rays of the sun beating on the hot tin roof.
Clothing styles: from early Halloween like costumes to the latest fashion trends...fully covered like Arabic burkas, to partial nudity. Low rise hip hugging jeans, to colors that just don’t match or make sense.
Now you know of my observations in the mass of humanity, in this case, terminal people. The question is though---who’s watching me?
"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." - Carl Jung
Nice job, Miles. I wonder what your thoughts are about more 'modern' people watchers, the technocrats who watch us on satellite and street camera monitors, our shopping habits and internet research. Best, Jan
Reviewed by George Norton
6/14/2008
I have just one word for this article: "Exemplary." Yes, man's inhumanity to man abounds, but I am hopeful that "the signs of the times" will point many to the heart, and not the thing called passion.
An account of adventures in Scandinavia that involved flying dragons, Russian and German submarines, old WW2 era battlefields, Finnish foxes (female kind), Finnish-Mexican cuisine and much more. Written for the most part with a light touch, it ends o
Middle of the Day, Blasting Heat, Middle East
