People Watching

A couple of days ago, the weather was absolutely stunning and I decided to have my lunch outside.  I found a nice spot with dappled shade in front of the building where I work.  A wonderful spot, with a clear vista of sidewalks and parking lots - perfect for people watching.  I ate my sandwich and I watched the people.

Most of the people passing by appeared to be college students.  They seemed about the right age, carried backpacks, and many were dressed like they had just rolled out of bed.  Intermixed with these youngsters were people like me, people who happen to work in the neighborhood.  Some of these folks looked young enough to be in college.  Others looked old enough to have grandchildren in college.  They're mostly identifiable by how they dressed and the occasional I.D. badge.

At lunch there is plenty of foot traffic.  I don't typically focus on any particular person, I just kind of take in the scene in its entirety.  Perhaps, I'm actually more of a crowd watcher.  This day, however, two fellows drew my attention.  They were probably in their thirties and sporting office casual wardrobes.  They emerged from the building I work in, although I don't recall ever seeing them before.  There are many suites in the building, so this isn't that unusual.  There was nothing particularly distinctive or memorable about their appearance.  In fact, thinking back, I can't really recall exactly what they looked like.  So why did I notice them?  It was the way they walked.

The two were walking side by side, engaged in conversation.  As they passed by, I noticed the guy nearest me first.  What a weird walk, I thought.  Then, I noticed that the other guy was walking the same way.  They both had their hands in their pockets.  With each step, they would stick their foot out and point their toe, just a little.  It was sort of like the motion you might make if you were about to dip your toe into a swimming pool to check the temperature.  Everything about it seemed very deliberate, yet the two men seemed more intent on their conversation.  Their gait was very jerky and, to me, somewhat ostrich-like.  I wondered if perhaps they were wearing ill-fitting shoes (or underwear).  Maybe they worked for a shoe company and were compelled to wear their product, even if it meant walking oddly.

Whatever the reason, I was pleased they passed by.  It made lunch that much more enjoyable and reminded me of the "Ministry of Silly Walks" Monty Python skit.