The Best Places to People-Watch at School

If there's a single universal truth about being in high school, it's that everyone—at some point or another—will feel awkward. The best cure for your own insecurity about these uncomfortable moments? Reminding yourself that other people are equally weird and awkward. And the best way to do that? People-watching!

Now, before continue, we must warn you: Don't be creepy. Don't stare too intently, have a book to read or a phone to text on to disguise the fact that you're actually watching people, and DON'T HAVE A MUSTACHE. OK, now we can move on to the the best places to people-watch at school:

Library
Sure, there are some super-focused students who actually manage to do work in the library. But there's also lots of socializing going on. So find yourself a good corner seat, grab an encyclopedia, and watch the show.

What you'll see: The kid who sticks his his tongue out while he's thinking. The band girl who plays competitive chess flirting with a football dude. (Huh. Weird.) And the librarian quietly singing the music from "Cats" while filing her nails.

The gym/stadium bleachers
If you've been reluctant to attend your school's sporting events because you hate sports, you are missing out. Watching people who are watching sports is a sport itself! Just make sure you get a seat near the top of the bleachers so you can easily take in the crowd. If you sit on the bottom bleacher, you will only be able to watch the game—and everyone else will be able to watch you watching the game. And you will feel awkward. Again.

What you'll see: One of the popular girls picking a wedgie out of her butt. Your math teacher flirting with the French teacher. (Huh. Interesting.) A benched athlete trying to figure out if his foot is the same length as his forearm.

The Teacher's Lounge
Yeah, you have to have serious skills to gain entry to this people-watching spot. But we have a hint: Get there before any of the teachers do. And wear something that blends in. Slouch over, hide most of your face in a giant book, let out an occasional "hurrumph," and everyone will assume you're a brooding young college grad earning some extra cash as a substitute teacher.

What you'll see: The cheerleading coach letting out an occasional, very brief, crazy-evil-laugh. The gym teacher eating a sandwich and staring intently at... the school counselor, who is cleaning grapes and flirting with the choir director. Oh wait, that's Glee. (April 13, weeeee!)

Cafeteria
Lunchroom people-watching seems easy. After all, how hard could it be to disappear into a giant, raucous, hungry crowd?

Actually, pretty hard.

You can't just sit there the whole time, 'cause that would be awkward. So you have to find a group of people to sit with who won't mind if you sort of stare off in the distance while eating in silence. Our suggestion? Sit with the chattiest group you can find—they'll be so into their own conversations, they won't notice you're not talking.

What you'll see: The kid who won the state spelling bee in 6th grade peeling an orange with her teeth. The teacher assigned to lunchroom duty flirting with your ex. (Huh. Gross.) Someone crying while eating. The captain of the tennis team folding his paper lunch bag into an origami hamburger.

Do you like to people-watch? What's your favorite spot?

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