Loitering Loiterers Make the World a Better Place

By: Elizabeth Redhead Kriston

photo by Elizabeth Redhead Kriston

I was shocked to find a sign posted at a park proclaiming “No Loitering Loiterers Will Be Prosecuted.” Aside from the lack of punctuation which, when read as printed, changes the intent completely, this made me think, “If you can’t loiter at a park, than where can you lawfully loiter?”

I guess we first have to reflect on what loitering is. I consider loitering to be the act of hanging-out in a place that hanging-out would be considered disruptive. But, it turns out that loitering actually sounds quite nice. Dictionary.com defines it this way.

loiter

[loi-ter] 

to linger aimlessly or as if aimless in or about a place:

to loiter around the bus terminal.

to move in a slow, idle manner, making purposeless stops in the course of a trip, journey, 

errand, etc.:

to loiter on the way to work.

to waste time or dawdle over work:

He loiters over his homework until one in the morning.

verb (used with object)

to pass (time) in an idle or aimless manner (usually followed byaway):

to loiter away the afternoon in daydreaming.

This begs the question, why is loitering illegal or discouraged, especially at a park? Other places that might encourage the act of loitering include a beach, a bench along Main Street, a babbling creek, a patch of woods, and mountain top (especially at sunset). These places are perfect for loitering.

I argue that the world would be a better place if more of us loitered daily.

• “Wandering about aimlessly without purpose” allows us to explore and experience new places, people, and things.

• “Moving in a slow and idle manner” gives us time to notice and appreciate the little things in life.

• “To dawdle over work” might give us the opportunity to take the time to do our jobs better, with improved attention to detail.

• “To pass time in an idle manner” gives us time to daydream and develop creativity.

So I say be a rebel. Become a ne'er-do-well. Be a Loitering Loiterer! You just might make the world a better place.