Ethnography

Ethnography

October 27, 2015

Anyone there?


            This week as I made my way to my spot, it was clear the weather is starting to change more drastically. The atmosphere of my location is pretty average today. There was no one in line when I walked in, so I made a quick trip to the counter. I’m sitting down now, observing. There is a group sitting in the far corner. In the group is a boy with a skateboard propped up next to him. There is also two girls, both blonde, sitting with him, looking quite interested in what he has to say. Also with them is a tall looking boy who is also looking at the other boy with an interested look on his face.
            Also in the restaurant are two different families. One family is made up of a mom and a dad, and two girls. They are all eating, but the older girl looks bored. The other family looks older, the older man and woman are mostly quiet. Looking at each of the other adults who look like they could be college-aged people. They could easily be in their twenties. The two woman look older than the man, who may be the youngest of them all. Also here in the restaurant are two people sitting alone. The lone man is keeping his head down, and is not looking around for some reason. The lone girl is eating and looking at her cell phone.
            After a while of sitting here I notice that the group in the corner are each going around the table telling stories and exchanging personal experiences. I am curious as to what this group is. The older family seems to have been apart for some time. They are also exchanging stories with each other. The girl sitting alone is now putting earphones I her ears and is holding her phone sideways, probably watching a video. The lone man is rising now, rather quickly, and is leaving. The place seems slow for a while with not much excitement. After a while the woman working at the counter walks back to the kitchen area. I have a feeling I have seen her working here before.
           Now there is a woman walking in with sunglasses on and her purse tucked under her arm. She is standing at the counter now looking around. She turns around glances out at all of us sitting down. I can tell she is confused by the situation. After about a minute the worker comes back out apologizing. The woman seems to just wave off the apology and orders, still probably upset. The older couple and family seem to be leaving now as the woman is finding her seat. The family makes their way outside, still all talking to each other. The family with the two girls leave and the older girl still looks bored, but slightly glad to be leaving, while the younger girls is barraging her with a chatty voice asking questions and just talking loudly.
           
           The group in the corner finally leave after their group has said all they needed to say. They all say their goodbyes and one by one are leaving. The woman with the sunglasses is sitting alone and looking not too impressed.  She may just be having a bad day. A man and two boys walk in and the two boys immediately run to find a spot to sit. They have picked a spot near me. As they sit and talk about a T.V. show their father is ordering at the counter. The lone girl has apparently spent enough time alone and is going to the restroom, probably about to leave.
          
           The lone girl has left the restroom and is leaving a few minutes later. By now the two boy and the day are enjoying their meal. My hour is nearly up now and I decide to leave.

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