First off there is a table with three guys, all in their mid 20's. They are all dressed casually and all have a relaxed posture with each other. They are all having beer and ordering lunch. Their conversation is fairly animated. A lot of bouts of laughter and hand gestures. This behavior continues all through their lunch. After their plates are cleared, they all hang around for another round of beers. Their phones all laid untouched on their table while they ordered and ate, but now that lunch is finished they all start browsing their phones. Phone usage goes from non existent to very heavy very quickly. While they are browsing their phones their conversation stops. This last for about five to ten minutes, then one of them shows something funny from his phone to the other two, this is received well and their conversation becomes animated again. Phone usage among the three drops down to light after this and for the remainder of the time they are at their table. But periodically one of them would make a call or check a message. If I had to guess, I would say these guys are pretty good friends and not brothers.
The next table is seating one guy, mid to late 30's, and one gal, mid 20's. They are both dressed business casual. They are having lunch and looking over what looks like a college paper. They are having a quiet conversation. Their postures are relaxed. I am unsure of what sort of relationship they have. Their postures suggest that they are comfortable with each other, but there is no actual physical contact, so I wouldn't guess that they are not romantic. The man leaves after they finish lunch, he gives the girl a small hug before he leaves, however she doesn't stand up to receive it. This may mean that they have a professional relationship, maybe coworkers, or maybe a professor and grad student. I am gonna assume the latter. After the man leaves, the gal stays at the table, she is either waiting on someone else to join her, or she is waiting on the tab. That question is answered when the waitress brings her the bill eventually. The entire time the gal was at the table by herself she was on her phone constantly. This isn't surprising. Single gals and single guys in public seem to feel awkward if they aren't doing something. Side not, while she was having lunch with the older gentleman, neither of them used their phones.
There is a table seating two gals both in their early to mid 20's. They are dressed very casual and are very laid back in their posture. It is apparent these two are close friends because of their casualness with each other. What is interesting however, is that neither of them are using their phones. Normally I would expect two girls in their 20's to both be on their phones at least periodically. This lack of phone use makes me think these two probably are close friends, but they haven't seen each other in a while so they want to catch up. That is something I would normally expect from two guys, rather than two girls. Their conversation through their meal was animated with a lot of smiling and laughing. When it came time to pay the tab they split the check.
That is all I have for you folks this week! It certainly was an interesting hour. Lemme recap quickly for you.
- For the most part, phone usage was very light. A little surprising.
- Beer, as always, was the most ordered drink.
- Mostly college kids in their 20's.
- Mostly an animated bunch, maybe cause everyone was happy to have the warmer weather.
Well another week down and another observation posted. I believe there are only two field site observations left. I am interested to see how interactions will change as the weather gets colder in the coming weeks. Check back in next week and see what I turn up!
-Al
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