Sitting in the barbers for what seemed like an aeon I passed my time people watching. This is not something I normally do, there again I do not normally sit in public places where I can people watch, but today as men with what I thought short hair queued up to have it shortened further I leered out the window as passing female shapes and became interested in what I fleetingly glimpsed.
With kids in school mums, young and old, passed by aiming for the shops to the right of us, occasional pushchairs accompanied them. From the bus park opposite a flurry of movement as a bus arrived and disgorged its occupants, they clutching bags of treasures, some just clutching each other as they left the zimmer bus. College youths passed by in groups, the girls likewise always in threes, never alone, each with an identification badge hanging round the neck in case they forget who they are. I doubt anyone would wish to impersonate such as these badly dressed teens. It is noticeable just how badly teens dress. We must have done the same but to our minds we were 'cool,' these folks today are just a mess! It is important t dress in similar fashion as your peers but with a clear personal slant that speaks of 'you,' so that by looking like everyone else you stand out from the crowd.
Men of a certain age ("cough") pass by dressed as they have done since around 35 years of age and finding no good reason to change now. Some dressed by their woman in M&S outfits others are indicating a rock and roll past with a bright shirt more suitable for a man twenty years younger. Still others walk in the sunshine wearing shorts and thin shirts determined to pretend summer is still alive.
Those awaiting the shearing reveal their occupation by their dress sense let alone the constant calls on their mobile phones. Well fed and well built men with a determined attitude, dressed in t-shirt and well pocketed shorts reveal they are builders. Their short conversations offer us the chance to estimate how much the wood will cost, who is responsible for the TCU (what?) and nothing is mentioned about the price. Presenting a macho, tough approach is important among such men, it would not do to appear to be human, however the conversation with the barber reveals that they are human and concerned about their kids in spite of appearances.
A young estate agent in tight fitting suit is glimpsed, they all look the same and leave you asking if you would buy a used car from them. A van delivering ice cream (ice cream delivery?) halts over the road leaving the question "Who gets ice cream delivered from the 'Aroma' company?' The taxi drivers parked on the other side dress in well used shirts chatting aimlessly while attempting to make a living. Some have been there for over twenty years at this job. I was told about ten years ago that such taxis then cost £300 a week to hire, add to that a need to earn similar to pay your way indicated that you need a lot of journeys to break even. Many people use the taxis while shopping, the bus does not always go near your door in the outer reaches. Late night revellers require them long after the bus has gone home and many make money whenever the trains arrives at the station. However it must be profitable for some but seems a risky work to me.
Young women dressed to attract similar males pass by, usually accompanied again, only women in business dress walk alone while clamping a phone to the ear, not a few of them, I wonder what they do? Women with little care for how they dress appear, down at heel or have they always been like this? It surprised me to see how many people suffering mental limitations went past, some clearly from birth others possibly from accident. Does the sun bring them out I wonder? How difficult some peoples lives have been, made much harder by this grasping governments refusal to pay benefits and allow many to be thrown onto the streets and for others to die! Today I spent a little while getting angry at the 'Daily Mail' commentators who refuse to pay taxes for 'scroungers and layabouts!' This is partly because that is what the paper has told them and party because they wish to believe it. Basically they are just greedy and do not wish to pay a penny towards caring for others. That is the basis of the Conservative Party policy and many grasping greedy people rush towards it.
They will be the first to demand benefits when they become sick.
2 comments:
Often more interesting than one would expect just looking at people and seeing what you can guess about them. I always find it interesting that everyone in a busy street has their different thoughts running through their heads, and usually a different reason from everyone else for being in that place at that time. Unless they are in the Army, marching through, obvously, or something like that.
Jenny, Marching armies tend not to choose their route. I suspect many we see on the streets have little choice also, life being what it is. How interesting to be able to read the thoughts of others...
Post a Comment