Observe?

In the first lecture they talk about key points regarding pursuing animation. One of those key points is observation. Animation is about life, hell it is life. You are giving life to a non-living object. One of the most important tools an animator can use is the power of observation.

How does one observe without looking like a little.....wierd? I mean I know what it meants to an animator to observe and I try to practice and do it every chance I get. But how do you get around to doing it without people looking back at you as you stare at every part of their body to get that sense of position, scale, rotation, etc.?

I think I'll post this in the AM forums as well and see if I can't get some answers there.