People Watching....

Today my mom and I participated in a community garage sale. I helped her set up the tables at our neighborhood's clubhouse and get all of our "junk" spread out. The sale started at 8 this morning, and like clockwork, people showed up and flocked to the tables. I was only going to stay for a few minutes, just long enough to help set up, but I decided to hang out with my mom and keep her company. Also, I thoroughly enjoy people watching. In fact, I love it.

If it weren't so cold outside today, I think I could have stood at that table and watched people "hunt" all day. The way they approach the table, scan it slowly and methodically, walking by ever so casually, and decide whether they like what they see on display. Maybe its so funny to watch at a garage sale because its your stuff they are deciding if they want or not. Its like it was good enough for you at one time, will they decide if its good for them now? I love how people stare at something, pick it up, examine it , and I am sure they will buy it...but then to my surprise they set it down. I wish I could hear the dialogue inside a person's head....

Why is it so fun and entertaining to people watch? Is it because human behavior is so predictable and irrational at the same time? For example, several people today bought real junk from other tables, probably spending five dollars on three pieces of worthlessness, because in their mind they are getting three things for five dollars. But at our table, where the "junk" was potterybarn and southern living stuff we didn't need anymore, five dollars for one vase was simply too much.

Maybe I am majoring in the wrong degree.....