While sitting in the Las Vegas airport attempting not to gamble and fill up on over-priced and over-caloric iced coffee beverages, I took notes on the interesting travelers sitting around me. I love to people watch and make up stories about their lives and hypothesize about the whys of their actions. These strangers, so close to talk to, yet only observed.
Here are their stories, at least my version.
The mother is sitting at the end of a row. She looks prematurely weary and frazzled. In her lap, she holds her pink yarn and needles, squinting and pushing her overgrown bangs behind her ear as she works. An elderly woman sitting in front of her asks her what she’s making and the mother makes polite conversation back and replies that it’s a blanket. Several times as she’s chatting with the elderly woman, she has to stop her knitting to glare and point at the seat where her two obviously bored young sons are supposed to be sitting while waiting for their plane to take off. The boys father is sitting on the opposite side of the them, but is deep in conversation on his cell phone while silently cursing the lack of Wi-fi. Occasionally he offers a terse “shh” to the boys.
I wonder if the mother of the boys is as irritated as I am that her husband is paying no attention to the boys and completely unable to let go of work now that they’re finally on vacation. I especially wonder why she’s knitting a pink blanket.
The elderly woman reminds me of a spy. She is wearing very mod white plastic sunglasses and is oddly proficient with her cell phone. After taking her seat four down from my own, she makes her first call, speaking in a thick accent. All I hear her say is, “I can’t talk long, but…”
It was an odd couple walking swiftly out of the food court area. She, tall and statuesque, dressed in obviously expensive clothes reminded me of a model. Her hair was perfectly colored and styled, along with her nails. Along side her walked her husband. Perched atop two bird legs, his large round belly rested. He was short and bald, yet strutted like a cowboy, proud.
Speaking of cowboys, why were there so many men wearing cowboy hats in the Las Vegas airport. Were they all traveling to a cowboy convention? A rodeo? A renowned large belt-buckle maker? A Wrangler’s jeans museum?
Across the aisle and with their backs to me, sat two menopausal women fanning themselves with copies of their itineraries. They were chatting back and forth about this year’s cherry harvest. Each one had a better story as to what farmers’ market they’d gotten their prized purchases. One woman told the other she needn’t worry about going in the heat to the year’s remaining farmers’ markets because Carla’s husband was the produce manager at Kroger. He could “hook her up.”
The preteen girl desperately tried to look cool and disappear all at the same time. Her pimply face was covered in shine, and when she smiled, you could only see a mouthful of braces.
The other preteen girl had a blue mohawk and skeleton appliques on her jean jacket with it’s arms purposely cut off and frayed.
In front of me, two Asian women and a man sat facing me. Each woman was dressed oddly. One had white crocheted biker gloves, black panty hose, pristine white tennis shoes, a wide brimmed plastic visor, and a sequined (silver) Calvin Klein shirt. The man had wiry salt-and-pepper hair and he wore wrinkled khaki pants and a blue oxford shirt with it’s sleeves rolled up to his elbows. They sat and ate their lunches, bite by bite, in silence.
Angie@ Keep Believing
July 30, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Did my comment go through? I am confused.
Angie@ Keep Believings last blog post..Once there was a little boy….
Angie@ Keep Believing
July 30, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Okay, still having problems.
I guess my comment when trying to also give a link is having problems.
I was saying that people watching can me fun. I find it hard not to make assumptions, judge, etc. However, I am getting better.
There is a website for an eavesdrop writer that is really cool. She doesn’t update all that much which makes her easier to stomach adding to google reader. It is all about her own eavesdropping and people watching experiences.
eavesdropwriter.blogspot.com
KEEP BELIEVING
Angie@ Keep Believings last blog post..Once there was a little boy….
Mandy
July 30, 2008 at 9:46 pm
There WERE a lot of interesting characters when we were there, too. What day were you going through? I was just waiting for you to say something about the sunburnt, unkempt, exhausted loud mouths fighting over the ipod and coffees.
Because I. didn’t. see, anyone. like. that…..ahem.
Seriously, though. Email me if you want to hear a really funny story about some interesting people watching we did there.
Mandys last blog post..Luck be a lady…with raging PMS
kirida
July 30, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Ooh, we’re traveling on Friday and I will definitely be making detailed notes of the other passerbys, instead of hoping my son doesn’t chuck gummy bears at them.
kiridas last blog post..awesome. not awesome.
ohmommy
July 30, 2008 at 10:46 pm
People watching is one of my most favorite past times. Seriously, it rocks. So many interesting folks out there!
ohmommys last blog post..The next BEST thing since sliced bread. And. I am giving it away!!!
Amy
July 30, 2008 at 11:58 pm
sounds like an episode of “what not to wear”! i live in az and out here, there are lots of cowboy type guys. the hats and ginormous belt buckles are for reals. it’s so bizarre still to see grown men donning this attire. it looks ok in the garth brooks videos, but in real life, it’s just wrong.
tulipmom
July 30, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I loved reading these descriptions. E. and I have been doing a lot of people watching lately while she’s feeding.
tulipmoms last blog post..I’m OK, We’re OK
julochka
July 31, 2008 at 2:53 am
i found you thru magpie musing. i always make up stories people-watching in airports and really enjoyed yours!
Kelley
July 31, 2008 at 3:00 am
I love people watching! And making up fantastical stories. But I am hard wired to be freaking weird when it comes to my stories. And I am not half as eloquent (and kind) as you.
Kelleys last blog post..Sights and smells in the local supermarket.
rachel b. (three day blog)
July 31, 2008 at 4:54 am
I never have interesting characters to look at in the airport when I travel…of course it could be the fact that I typically take the red eye. Or maybe I AM the character!
rachel b. (three day blog)s last blog post..…we are all working parents…
Maggie
July 31, 2008 at 6:09 am
This is fantastic! I am glad that I am not the only one who makes up little stories about people when I am watching them and waiting for someone/something. The only problem is that I sometimes get so wrapped up in what other people are doing that I end up staring…and then I feel all guilty and weird. I’m such a dork.
Maggies last blog post..Best Shot Monday – Cannon Ball!
Jennifer
July 31, 2008 at 6:19 am
@Angie@ Keep Believing: My spam filter caught your other comments…not sure why it gets overzealous sometimes! Sorry for the trouble, I’ll have to check out that website, very cool idea!
DesignHER Momma
July 31, 2008 at 7:32 am
I have been doing this very same thing since I was a little girl, I think my Mom taught me to do it. Seriously, I love airports so much (only to people watch, not to get accosted for my carry-ons or anything like that), i sometimes wish i could just go there and gawk.
DesignHER Mommas last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – eve’s garden
Sandy
July 31, 2008 at 7:33 am
I love people watching!
Sandys last blog post..Happy One Month Birthday to Podling!
~JJ!
July 31, 2008 at 7:37 am
Why do I feel like this could be a music video.???
~JJ!s last blog post..For the Love of All That is Holy…Why Oh Why? But so much fun to get on camera.
Queen of Shake Shake
July 31, 2008 at 8:55 am
Does the fact that I rarely people watch mean I’m 100% completely self-absorbed?
Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..If French Women Don’t Get Fat, Does This Mean They Don’t Blog in France?
ali
July 31, 2008 at 9:24 am
i’m a crazy people watcher. especially at airports!!
alis last blog post..i have waited SEVEN years for this…
Devan
July 31, 2008 at 9:37 am
People watching is so interesting! Now that I go most places with the kids I don’t get much chance. The only people I have time to watch are my 3 little people.
Devans last blog post..Day 5: d says
lceel
July 31, 2008 at 9:40 am
People watching at the airport is so much fun – but harder to do now that security will only allow booked passengers out on the concourse’s at O’Hare. Midway, too. Although, watching people in the checkin lines can get pretty humorous, too, but it isn’t as much fun watching them stressed as it is watching them relaxed – with their guard down.
lceels last blog post..Earlier That Evening ….
JenLive!
July 31, 2008 at 9:47 am
Hi! I love people watching and imagining their stories.
I’m here via Heidi, your stalker. I see why she likes you. I will come around again…
JenLive!s last blog post..Theme Thursday – Fashion
mrs. chicken
July 31, 2008 at 9:51 am
Love this, Jennifer. More, please!
mrs. chickens last blog post..Help A Girl Out Will Ya?
Kia
July 31, 2008 at 9:53 am
Very cool. I’m not sure if I ever want you to “see” me in an airport, though…
Kias last blog post..Wacky Wednesday Wheeee!!
Greta/Does This Blog Make Us Look Fat?
July 31, 2008 at 9:55 am
See, now I’m obsessed w/ watching their shoes. Dunno why.
Greta/Does This Blog Make Us Look Fat?s last blog post..Welcome to My Anxiety Attack. Have Some Dip.
Scary Mommy
July 31, 2008 at 10:53 am
Airports are the best places for that!!! I love it when people are on my return flight too- even more to speculate about.
Scary Mommys last blog post..My Little Prodigy
Lori
July 31, 2008 at 11:09 am
I love people watching and I am always thinking senerios in my head to match what I am watching. I am easily entertained!
Melanie
July 31, 2008 at 1:05 pm
My mom and I do this too. My mom is much better at coming up with stories than I am though. But it’s always fun to do.
btw- I came over from “Mommy Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”
Melanies last blog post..Wordless Wednesday #85
InstantAmber
July 31, 2008 at 1:14 pm
You mean your airport experience was like this: http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1824285
Elisa
July 31, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Hey, I do that too! That’s not rude, is it?
BTW, I have an answer to the prolific wear of cowboy boots in the Las Vegas area: for some reason being near the desert makes some men think they ought to dress like Lucky Luke. Go figure.
Elisas last blog post..Multi-event Alert!!!
PsychMamma
July 31, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Ha! I do this too. Airports are my favorite for this very reason! I’m blessed b/c Hubs likes to participate too. We get some great stories going. Loved the story about all the cowboys! Hee!
PsychMammas last blog post..Plan an adventure
Andrea's Sweet Life
July 31, 2008 at 4:57 pm
OOOOH! I LOVE people watching. Las Vegas is one of the best places for it, too!
WM
July 31, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Ha! I love that you do this too.
Is it wrong that I sometimes wonder about people’s sex lives though…like certain people I just can’t ever picture getting down and dirty. Ever.
Sarcastic Mom
July 31, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Love people watching.
Sometimes I wonder what story people see when they look at me, too.
Sarcastic Moms last blog post..You can be the man behind my curtain, folks.
melissa
July 31, 2008 at 10:45 pm
i adore people watching!! and what better place than an airport. everyone has a story and it’s so much fun to guess what it is!
melissas last blog post..Haiku Friday…If The Shoe Fits…
Shannon
July 31, 2008 at 10:50 pm
I just read you post at in the trenches and It was just BEAUTIFUL. You put down what I think about everyday but never have been able to put into words. thanks
Shannons last blog post..First day of 5th grade
Marye~
July 31, 2008 at 11:13 pm
shh don’t tell any one but….I think your right about that woman being a spy. I over heard that she was sent to follow the Asian trio. They are secret agents sent to Vegas to spread …oh they’re here, they found me help, I must run and hide….
Dawn
July 31, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I was the old woman. Great disguise eh?
Dawns last blog post..To Whom it May Concern
Jennifer
August 1, 2008 at 6:13 am
@Shannon: Thank you so much! I hate that Sarah (in the trenches) has her comments set to moderated because we guest authors don’t have any way to approve comments! Thanks for leaving one here.