My mother loves to watch people—their mannerisms, their dress, the way they walk, their reactions. When I was a little girl, I was clueless as to why she found this so fascinating. To me, books, or creating my own people for my own stories, were far more interesting. But now that I am grown up (or at least pretend to be) I too am beginning to find human behavior intriguing.
The other day offered a unique opportunity for observing the dynamics of human action and reaction. I had two appointments at the same medical center about five hours apart. The center was a half hour and lots of heavy traffic from my house, so I decided to stay in town and keep myself busy.
A strong weather system was passing through the area with thunderstorms and heavy rain expected. After my first appointment, I drove to the local Barnes & Noble and settled at a table with my laptop.
And the rains came (Noah wasn’t building an ark this time but maybe he should have.)
We humans are especially worth watching in minor crisis situations. A gully washer is one of them. At the bookstore, I noticed a young couple run from the building hand-in-hand through the pelting downpour. How romantic. If they slipped and fell in one of the lakes forming in the parking lot, at least they’d both get wet butts—or just wetter.
I got to the medical center early for my second appointment and waited in my car in the parking lot. People entered or left their vehicles in the varying volume of rain in about as many ways.
One young mother hurried out with her toddler on her hip. She opened the back door of her car and inside he went. She could hardly have had time to strap him in. I think I saw movement from the back seat and hoped there was another adult present to secure the little guy in his car seat.
I looked in my rearview mirror at one point, to see a gal run towards the center, black jacket pulled over her head. A skull and crossbones were in full view on the back. Not sure that’s the kind of jacket you want to wear going into a medical center.
Different people are more or less concerned by how quickly they make it through the deluge. I’ve concluded that it depends on their attire. One young fellow outfitted in a t-shirt, jogging shorts and athletic shoes, made a mad dash across the blacktop. However, if the individual was wearing a business suit or dress (this would be for women only) they move at a rather sedate pace as if the sun were shining. Dignified behavior must be maintained at all times to match the fashion choice, even if it means said choice getting soaked.
One of the more interesting situations were two men in shirts and ties (pants too, naturally) one of whom was pushing a sort of dolly with a large storage container on it. I assumed they were sales reps selling or delivering medical supplies. The box and dolly were relegated to the trunk and Man no. 1 got into the driver’s side and shut the door. Smart move.
Man no. 2 lit up a cigarette even while the intensity of the rain increased. Determined to get in a few good drags, the guy got damper and damper. I stared at the cigarette, wondering how it could even stay lit. Finally, he tossed down the smoke and got into the car. I can’t help thinking it smelled like a wet dog inside.
Still another incident occurred after I got home. I was staying with friends for the weekend. A carwash is across the street from their house. During one of the heaviest downpours of the day, with the rain roaring on the roof, I saw a lady washing her car in one of the two bays. Now that’s dedication!
And that, my friends, is just some of the colors of human behavior.
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