Yale Supplement: Something you love to do: people-watching

3. Write about something that you love to do. (200 words)

people-watching

To the untrained eye, it was simply a crowded airport terminal. To me, it was a tense situation of cat and mouse, a test of wills to see whose would snap first. My eyes narrowed imperceptibly as the rival spy shifted in his seat. What was his motive? Was the symbol on his neck pillow a brand logo or a clue to his allegiance?

The boarding call interrupted my thoughts. I watched the nameless stranger tug his suitcase away, leaving behind another unfinished story.

I love people-watching and attaching fanciful explanations to ordinary interactions. Sometimes they're as grandiose as my airport narration. Most times, however, it's something simple and infinitesimal. The cashier checking her phone isn't being unprofessional; she's nervously anticipating news of her mother's surgery. The street corner beggar isn't an entitled bum; he's recovering from debilitating anxiety and it's all he can do to even be in public. This imaginative habit has instilled in me a moral principle of reserving judgment of everyone I encounter until given reason otherwise. It's a good reminder that everyone has a struggle, and even if my story of a stranger is hilariously inaccurate, that person still deserves kindness, regardless of circumstance.

The paragraphs of your essay can be better arranged Angela. Group together all of the observation activities and back stories that you created into one paragraph. So one or two of these explained activities will suffice. The second paragraph, should be composed of the moral principle understanding that you developed through this activity. Then finally, a closing statement, as a 3rd paragraph should be added to close the essay on a fun note. That is because the essay is quite light and should close on the same note. Perhaps the insinuation that you are observing yourself while you type this essay would be quizzical and laughable point to close on? Or maybe ponder what you might observe as a college student at the university? I'm not sure how you would want to close the statement, I am only sure that you have to close it on a light but memorable point, just as entertaining as the opening statement of your response.

@Holt
How's this revised version? (Context: Yale's residential halls all have a late-night cafe called the buttery that serve only fast food for its students.)

To the untrained eye, it is simply a crowded airport terminal. To me and the rival spy, it is a tense situation of cat and mouse. My eyes narrow imperceptibly, trying to decipher his allegiance through a symbol on his neck pillow.

Outside a grocery store, there is a beggar who would gladly work for his living, but his debilitating anxiety makes it difficult for him to even be in public. Inside, a cashier sneaks glances at her phone, nervously anticipating news of her mother's surgery.

I love people-watching and attaching fanciful explanations to ordinary interactions. This imaginative habit has instilled in me a moral principle of reserving judgment of everyone I encounter until given reason otherwise. Others will be quick to condemn the cashier as unprofessional or the beggar as an entitled bum, but my narrations remind me that everyone has struggles masked from the world. Even if my story of a stranger is hilariously inaccurate, that person still deserves kindness, regardless of circumstance.

Now I'm sitting in the buttery, watching my fellow Yalies swiftly devour every type of fried food imaginable, and I truly cannot judge as I myself polish off my third quesadilla that night.