While I like discussing the various sights and attractions I've visited with other travelers when I'm lounging around a hostel, sometimes I feel a little bit out of place. The reason for this is that my favorite part of traveling to a new place usually isn't seeing a city's finest tourist attractions and landmarks.

Although seeing the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Taj Mahal are all on my bucket list, what I often love most about visiting a new place is simply immersing myself in another culture. I love getting a glimpse into how local citizens go about their day and discovering what everyday life is like on another side of the world.

As a result, one of the travel activities I love the most is plopping myself down on a park bench and watching people go by.

Here are a few reasons why I try to do at least a little bit of "people-watching" whenever I arrive in a new city or country.

1. You Never Know What to Expect

Although there are plenty of cultural differences to notice, no two people are exactly the same. People are very dynamic and unpredictable. When you spend a few minutes looking out into a crowded street, you'll never see exactly the same thing as you did on the day before.

Statues and buildings tend to stay more or less the same. The Statue of Liberty just stands there... and stands there... and stands there.

Although tourist attractions and landmarks are great in their own right, they can't compete with the unpredictable nature of people. Especially when you're in a different country or city, surrounded by an unfamiliar culture. Forget reality shows. People can be far more entertaining to watch.

2. You Notice the Subtle Things

When you slow down and let yourself observe for a little while, it may surprise you how many things you start noticing that you didn't see before.

You may catch the greetings used by two acquaintances passing by each other on the street or discover a certain uneven part of the sidewalk that seems to trip up every 10th person who walks by! You'll also probably get a lot better at reading body language.

These small details can help you better understand different people around the world without even understanding their spoken language.

3. You See All Types of People

If you're whipping through a city or country over the course of a few days, chances are that you won't get the chance to meet the full spectrum of people who live there.

Especially for shorter trips, it can be difficult to come into contact with the real living and breathing people who reside in the town you've decided to spend your vacation or holiday.

Sitting down on a park bench and watching people for a few minutes or more can change this. You'll at least get a small glimpse into the everyday lives of people that have helped make your holiday destination into an amazing place.

Believe it or not, most cities consist of more than just the other tourists and hospitality staff you usually come into contact with.

4. You Might Learn Something

When you take the time to sit and observe others for a little while, chances are that you're going to learn something. You may learn something that will help you have a better time during your travels or even something that you'll remember to use once you get back home.

You may pick up the word on some local hip bar that you didn't know about that you can go visit later that night. You may overhear a busker talking about his favorite type of guitar pick to use or hear a trade tip from the street vendor.

Anything that happens on the sidewalks or in a park is fair game and can potentially be great learning material. With enough time spent people-watching, you may learn plenty about the local culture, people in general, or just about anything else.

5. It Calms the Mind and Body

To me, sitting on a park bench and people-watching in an unfamiliar city has a strong effect on my mind and body. It can help me feel more at ease with my surroundings and also has a calming effect, much like meditation or yoga does.

Even though you won't be focusing on your breath, like in meditation or yoga, you will be sitting quietly. Simply sitting on a park bench for a while can actually improve your health. It can also help you feel like a greater part of the community around you.

If you're new to traveling far from home or if you're unsure about a new place, it can be a great idea to sit in a crowded area and observe. By doing so, you'll feel a little bit of a better ease with the people around you. You may feel more like you're a part of the city you're in rather than just a visitor running around from attraction to attraction.

While people-watching may or may not be your chosen travel style, I would suggest that you try it out every now and then, if only for a few minutes. The power of observation is strong and can simultaneously be even more entertaining and calming than you may realize.

The next time you travel to a far-off land, take a break from the sights, the restaurants, and the hotel room, and spend a little time sitting in the nearest park, public square or plaza.

Simply observe a little while. If you do, you may be surprised at what you see and learn about the people around you and the culture you're in.