Auctions can be so much fun!   I have been attending auctions for a few years and have invited friends to attend them with me on occassion. Frequently, I've found that people who have never attended auctions are afraid to go because they are afraid of "accidently bidding" by scratching their nose or touching their ear at the wrong time.

I don't attend the "upper crust" auctions at Sotheby's or any of the other high end auction houses, so I can't say how it works there. But at the estate sale auctions that I have attended in Illinois and Arizona, the people are very friendly and low key. Always happy to help newcomers and explain how it works at their sales.   I have occassionally seen an auctioneer mistake someone's wave or nod to a friend as a bid, but I have never seen them force that person to buy something that they didn't intend to bid on.

Auctioneers are generally intelligent and fair people. They can usually tell whether someone is actually bidding or not and if they do misjudge and think you're bidding when you aren't, they won't force you to buy something you don't really want.    On the flip side: always make sure your bid is noticed.  It's very frustrating to think you are winning an item, just to find out that the auctioneer didn't see you or notice that you were interested in bidding.  So, when you bid, make sure you make eye contact with the auctioneer or one of the auction employees who's job it is to watch the crowd for bidders.  Once they acknowledge your first bid, you can be sure they will watch you for subsequent bids on that item. 

I love attending auctions; I've met a lot of fun people, seen some very interesting "treasures" and even gotten to buy some things that I never thought I would be able to buy.  If you enjoy antiques or collect anything at all, you should check out the next auction in your neighborhood.  You will be surprised at the wonderful things you will find.
So, if you ever get a chance to attend an auction, GO! Have fun!  Maybe I'll see you there!