I think that people watching is a normal human tendency. We all occasionally catch ourselves observing other people’s appearances and actions. When I do this, it’s usually out of plain boredom. Normally I try not to judge because I know that whatever impression I gather from a fleeting glimpse does not fully represent a person.

As I sat in Caesar Rodney Dining Hall, I was able to witness a large diversity of UD students. I paid a lot of attention to the people that were eating alone like me. Nearly all of them were staring at their phones or tuned into other electronic devices as they ate. As for the tables with multiple people, hardly any phones were visible and conversations were flowing. I suddenly started to grow quite self-conscious about how I looked sitting alone. Instinctively, I took out my phone and started mindlessly scrolling. This immediately got rid of my momentary anxiety.

After eating, I felt that perhaps I understood why the people sitting alone were on their phones. It could’ve probably just been as simple as the fact that their phones were keeping them company, if you will. All I know is for me, looking at my phone made me feel more confident. I guess it was the notion that people wouldn’t walk by and see a kid by himself aimlessly staring around. They would just see someone eating dinner while taking care of some business on their phone.

I know this all might sound a bit loony, and I’m probably just overthinking as a result of some awkward eye contact in the dining hall. That being said, I do find it quite fascinating how just holding my phone effectively suppressed my self-consciousness.