While perhaps not such a city outsider as yourself Alex (live in the outer suburbs with bush around, work near the city) I can relate to the experience of window shopping and actually being able to see these things in the flesh. I love it.
I like window shopping when the shops are shut too, in the evening/night. I was just saying to my partner the other day when we were walking out of a large shopping centre in the suburbs as it was about to shut after late night shopping: Wouldn't it be nice if they kept the malls open and unlocked so you could browse around all the shop windows in peace.
Of course they can't because of the idiots out there who vandalise etc and you'd probably get mugged ya self.
I know what you mean about the crowds of sad and distant/vacant looking people. One day everyone will realise it's not a good way to live life - working for nothing but paying the bills, working in confined offices and going home depressed like that.
Roger.