Ethnography

Ethnography

September 21, 2014

Purple Croissants and Hedgehogs

Sunday September 21

1:33pm I walk into the café and I sit down at the bar next to a man studying. I’ve seen this man before here at the café and on campus as well. He introduced himself to me once but by the way he reacted when I sat near him now I can tell he does not remember me. He is wearing a black zip up hoodie with the hood over his head. He has tattoos up and down both arms and on his head as well. Because I met him before I know he is the gregarious type and not at all intimidating one might expect due to the tattoos.

1:36 Tattoo man is has an empty café cup next to him, indicating he’s been here a while. He reads from a highlighted text book and constantly scribbles down notes in his 5 subject spiral notebook. A stack of used note cards also sits above the book. He is consumed in his studying and reading.

1:39 Three baristas work behind the bar holding friendly conversations with the constant customers. 2 male, 1 female. I recognize the female. She has a short pixie cut, brown hair. She walks in and out of the backroom refilling various things. All three workers wear the same black collared shirt, khaki capris, green apron, and black shoes.

1:43 the tattoo man next to me calls for one of the baristas, Michael, by name. He grabs his empty cup and asks Michael for a refill of water with no ice. No problem.

1:44 I wonder if the baristas noticed I sat down with my own mug from home filled with hot tea. I didn’t buy anything. They are too busy probably.

1:47 “Grande Ice cinnamon dulce latte” Michael calls out. And a young man, middle twentys, collects his drink. He wears a skin tight white under armor long sleeved shirt and basketball shorts. Quite possibly he just came from working out. He also had on a white baseball cap and thick rimmed glasses. Maybe he just came for a midday coffee. As soon as he grabs his drink he walks right back out the door and leaves.

1:50 Of the three baristas the woman with the pixie hair seems to be the most talkative and happy to be behind the bar. As an older man walks in she greets him like an old friend. I am not close enough to tell if she knows him or not. The older man with the white shirt, white mustache and bald head orders a grande iced coffee, and something else I cannot hear, and walks over to the bar to wait for his order.

1:53 The old man collects his two drinks and two pastries. I am not sure who he is here with but he heads out side and sits next to a woman who looks alsoabout his age. I guess his wife.

1:56 In line is a middle aged couple. The woman oders a small iced coffee and the man orders a short double shot latte.

1:56 at the par waits another older middle aged man in a green shirt, a green cap and khaki shorts. He has on glasses.  Picks up his large no whipped mocha and immediately walks right out the front door.

1:58 The café is full of people studying or working on their laptops. In fact everyone who sits inside is sitting alone with an open book or an pen laptop. Some with head phones, some without.  People who want to converse sit outside underneath the shaded tables. 

2:00 people count (inside and out) 
MALE: 9

FEMALE:9

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