Observation Practice

I am observing the lobby of the freshmen dorm Shea Durgin. I am sitting on a bench right after the check-in desk. Notes:
SPACE:
-Fabrics of the seats are school colors "crimson"
-Tiled floor
-Wood paneling
-Posters adverting campus events
PEOPLE:
-Everyone is very rushed... does this change for different parts of the day?
-Everyone has bags...a lot of people have vera bradley bags, or north face backpacks
-Just saw someone drop all of their papers from a binder, I feel bad for them
-No one stops to help them. I pretend like I didn't see them
-No one makes eye contact with me
-A lot of people have their cell phones in their hand

Reflecting on my notes from observing the lobby of Shea Durgin, I realized that everyone is pretty general. I tried to find unique characteristics but everyone was following the same trend. They wore similar clothes, and accessories. They all came through the front door, scanned their connect card, checked bags and went to the elevators like a herd of cattle. I was expecting to see different types of people, but instead they made me realize how stereotypical everyone is. I felt really bad for the girl who dropped all her papers. I was going to get up to help her but I was interested to see who else would stop and was surprised when no one did. I thought people would be more compassionate then that but clearly I was wrong.

http://www.bridgew.edu/rlh/halls/shea_durgin.cfm

"Lay of the Land" essay response

While reading, “Lay of the Land” I really enjoyed all of the descriptions. I felt like a really understood what the place looked like and operated.  I got a good feel of the people there, and how they interacted with each other. I specifically liked the description of the “glowing” wood lanes and the “red rug that harbors numerous stains from sodas and pizza spilt over the years.” These minor details tell the reader a lot more about the place.

I think the essay was organized well, starting from walking into the place and the course of the night to the ending observations. It was well written and coherent. As I preciously discussed the content was very sufficient. However, I am left with some questions. I would like to know more about how these people made you feel. Did you feel awkward with them there? Or did they seem inviting to talk to? Are you nervous to go back and ask more questions? These questions would help me understand the culture of the bowling alley better.

related link: (cut and paste into browser address bar)
http://www.improvebowling.com/leagueinfo2.html

2/4/11

I think that because of my fixed position as a young college student, and because I am so interested in the restaurant it will be easy for me to observe and learn the culture of the place. I know how things work at my favorite pizza place at home so hopefully I will be able to recognize similarities and differences here. For example, who comes here besides college students? Is it family oriented, and do local teens or adults enjoy it? What makes this place special or unique, and creates the overall attitude? Do they offer special deals, or promotions like “yellow cards” to keep customers coming back? I also have business questions such as who its owned and operated by, and its history in Bridgewater. I intend to answer these questions through fieldwork.

I already know a few facts about Chessmen’s, but not a lot. I know that “Chessman’s Pizza” is located close to Bridgewater State University, and from my understanding is very popular with the college kids. I have driven by at night, and it seems to be somewhat busy. It has lights shining from inside and out so its hard to miss driving by. Unfortunately this is all I know about them at the moment.