> But unfortunately, looking at others is seen as being a weirdo

No it’s simpler than that:

1) sitting alone - you’re a weirdo

2) sitting doing nothing public, staring off into space like you’re a zen master - no, you’re a weirdo

3) blogposting how you sat alone in a public space for 30 minutes and how this is an “unbearable joy” - do I need to spell it out?

This person needs help. They are having an episode. If someone has gone so far as to have this level of emotional outburst by leaving their phone at home, there’s deeper issues to unpack.

For the rest of us, sitting down at the cafe to have a nice drink and something to eat while we look at the cars and foot traffic going by is a perfectly normal activity.