“We’re all a little bit odd and a little bit quirky.” It’s an astute observation of a decidedly original campus organization founded just last March.

The Campus People Watchers have three main goals, according to Secretary Ted Hagmann. As a non-profit, non-creepy organization, the group watches people and enjoys learning about humanity and society. Second, they hold events in which others can watch them do things outside the social norm. Finally, Campus People Watchers aim to create a database of every club on campus so others can get a third-party review of organizations.

David Shaffer, president and a club founder, had been involved in many activities in high school but grew frustrated with the options at the University of Minnesota. Shaffer went to about 20 different groups without finding one that had everything he was looking for. Shaffer decided to form a group that would both help others avoid his experience and facilitate his love for people-watching. By observing different events held by student organizations and writing about them on the group’s website (www.campuspeoplewatchers.org), they provide a resource for students seeking campus involvement.

The group meets twice a month. In the first meeting, they decide which campus organization to observe; in the second, they plan an event of their own. Sometimes this involves organizing activities like a campus conga line or planning an outing to the Minnesota Zoo, Mall of America, or other people-watching locales. For added excitement, some of the events have scavenger hunts or lists of things to look for—a kid on a leash or a man with an eye patch earn a people-watcher point; a kid in a cage equals negative points.

People-watching can not only be a fun but also educational, according to Shaffer. He can better predict what people are thinking or what they are about to do based on their body language. “Social intelligence is overlooked in today’s world, but we could all benefit from it.” Shaffer, who is looking into environmental justice, foresees people-watching helping him read juries and whether they are buying his argument.

Shaffer’s most notable experience people-watching occurred at the Mall of America when a group of Hasidic Jews approached him. Shaffer, who labels himself half-Jewish, was wearing a shirt with the words “Coca-Cola” written in Hebrew. One man inquired about his Hanukkah, and when Shaffer replied that he wasn’t very religious, the man asked if he had had a Bar Mitzvah. When Shaffer said no, the man offered to conduct one. After gathering the proper supplies, 50 men stood around Shaffer in the middle of Camp Snoopy and performed a Bar Mitzvah, yarmulke and all.

Though stories like Shaffer’s Bar Mitzvah may be extraordinary, there are unique experiences available simply on the bus system—both Shaffer and Hagmann named the buses the best locations for people-watching. The most interesting people, from the homeless to students to the business class, can be observed.

Above all, said Shaffer, “Just enjoy humanity. Laugh at the funny things we all do and you’ll realize that people watching is the best entertainment you could have.”

A kid on a leash or a man with an eye patch earn a people-watcher point; a kid in a cage equals negative points.