Week 10: Sitting, Standing, Watching: What I Learned from Public Observation

1. What I Did – The Observation Process

For the Public Observation Assignment, I spent two weeks observing how people used a public space on my university campus: the Student Welfare Center Plaza. I visited the space during three different times of day — morning (9–10 a.m.), midday (12–1 p.m.), and afternoon (3–4 p.m.) — on weekdays between April 22 and May 3. Each observation lasted around 30 minutes, and I took notes on how people moved, sat, talked, or passed through the space. I chose this plaza because it’s not only centrally located, but also multifunctional: there are benches, trees, small food carts, open space, and it’s right next to a major footpath. I created a simple map to mark out locations like benches, stairs, and shaded areas. I divided my observations into zones and paid special attention to behaviors like sitting alone vs. sitting in groups, phone usage, sun-seeking vs. shade-seeking, and whether people stayed or just passed through.

Most of the time, I observed from a quiet spot under a tree, pretending to scroll on my phone to not look too suspicious. I recorded patterns in my notebook and later typed up the data into categories like “movement,” “group size,” and “duration of stay.”

2. What I Learned – Everyday Life Is Not Random

This assignment completely changed how I look at public space. Before, I just passed through the plaza without paying attention. Now, I can’t unsee how structured everything is — how people behave in patterned, even predictable ways depending on time, environment, and social norms. One of the most striking findings was that people love edges. Hardly anyone sat in the middle of the open space. Instead, they clustered near walls, trees, or steps — confirming what William Whyte said in The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. Whyte observed that people prefer the “edges” of plazas because they offer a sense of boundary, safety, and visibility. I saw the same thing. Even when central benches were available, people preferred tree bases, planter ledges, or staircase corners. I also noticed that group size shaped behavior. Students in pairs or small groups tended to linger, talk, and use the space more actively — sitting down, eating snacks, or chatting. Individuals often passed through quickly or stayed only briefly, usually with earphones in or looking at their phones. Time of day also mattered: mornings were quiet and solitary, while midday was the most social time, with laughter, food sharing, and full benches. Most importantly, I realized that the physical design of space shapes human interaction. When the sun hit the benches at 3 p.m., people avoided them and stood in the shade. When a food cart was present, the plaza felt livelier. When the weather was windy or rainy, it became a ghost town. These weren’t just “weather effects” — they were social patterns responding to physical cues.

3. Was It Fun? What I’ll Take Away

To my surprise, this assignment was actually fun — and even addictive. At first, I was nervous and unsure of what to observe. But soon, it became second nature. I began to enjoy the quiet pleasure of watching strangers without interrupting their lives. It felt like being part of a secret — seeing things others didn’t notice. It also gave me a new appreciation for urban sociology. I used to think research was about reading books and writing essays. But this experience showed me that data is all around us — in every gesture, pause, laugh, and silent stare. We just have to slow down and pay attention. Another insight I’ll carry with me is that public space matters. In the digital age, it’s easy to think that online spaces are everything — but real, physical places still shape how we feel, behave, and connect. When designed well, a plaza can invite conversation, community, and rest. When designed poorly, it can isolate or exclude. Finally, I think this assignment has changed how I move through space myself. I now look at benches, trees, food carts, and even trash bins differently. I wonder who designed this, who uses it, and who avoids it. I’m more aware of invisible social norms — like why no one sits next to a stranger if there’s another open bench, or why people cluster around tables even when there’s no shade. In short, this wasn’t just an assignment — it was a way of learning how to observe life more carefully. And for a student of social sciences, I think that’s one of the most valuable skills we can have.