The time is a little after 1:30 in the afternoon. As I mentioned, the weather has the potential to bring some rain, but right now it is only partly cloudy. There is rock music playing in the back ground, some really great tunes if you focus your attention on it, but if you're having a conversation with friends you would never notice the music. There were two tables occupied when I pulled up shop.
Firstly there was a table with two men in their mid to late 30's both in sort of a business casual dress. They could be professors from the university or just friends our for a drink. One has a beer, the other gentleman is enjoying a mixed drink, gin and tonic or maybe a vodka club. They are both relaxed in their chairs, leaned back with legs crossed. The conversation is quiet but easy. They are both wearing relaxed smiles. This leads me to believe that whether they are work acquaintances or friends they have known each other for some time. I have also been noticing that when friends, or groups or friends are really close the usage of cell phones is limited. This can be seen with these two men, there is no phone in view for either, and through the course of my observation neither of them ever checked a phone for messages or time. When it came time for them to close out their tab, they split the check. A normal thing to do when good friends.
The other table that was occupied upon my arrival sat two woman. I imagine they might have been mother daughter as they had similar features, but besides that I was not able to get any other hints towards their relationship. The younger woman was in her early 20's, maybe under 21 even, the older woman was in her mid 40's. Both were having iced tea and eating lunch. They were both in very casual dress, and were speaking quietly, but happily to each other. Their attention to their phones was minimum for most of the meal, but when the younger gal went to use the rest room the older woman pulled out her phone and it stayed out for the rest of the meal, even after the younger gal came back out. Towards the end of their meal a man in his late 20's comes out to their table and has a brief conversation with the both of them. He appeared to know the younger gal since it appeared he was speaking more to her. While there was no physical contact between the man or other of the women they all had smiles and seemed comfortable with each other. After only a few minutes the man left.
A few minutes after I sat down and started my notes two gals in their mid 20's entered the patio. Both were in casual attire and carrying book bags. It would be safe to assume they were college kids. I noted that they both had their cell phones in hand even before they took their seats. Both gals only ordered water. Their posture was very relaxed and very easy. The conversation was fairly animated. I observed heavy cell phone usage throughout their conversation. After about ten minutes a guy in his mid 20's joins them with a beer in his hand. It is apparent he is an acquaintance of one of the girls as she introduced the guy to the other girl. But there was never any physical contact between the guy and either girl. He even took a seat at the far end of their table. It was hard to hazard a guess at this guy's relationship with the girls. It was obvious that he knew one of them, but the lack of physical contact and his seat at the far end of the table made me wonder how close they might be. Even though he was not a close friend of theirs the conversation was still very easy and their postures were all very relaxed. This guy must just be a classmate or co-worker. Regardless, cell phones were in heavy use by both of the girls the entire duration.
Two women, one in her 20's and one in her 40's took seats at a table across the patio from myself. I would guess mother and daughter upon first inspection. They both took iced teas and ordered lunch. The older woman was using her phone constantly, This adds more evidence to them being mother and daughter since conversation wasn't a big priority it seemed. But when they took their check at the end of the day they split the bill. That doesn't seem normal for a mother and daughter to split their lunch bill, but for them it may be. Interesting none the less.
Well, as much as I would love to keep going, it is time to stick a fork in today's observations. Let's review some commonalities from today's excursion.
- Beer was not the major preference of the patrons today.
- Mostly a younger crowd.
- Cell phones were in abundance at almost every table.
- The conversation was mostly subdued.
Alright sports fans that is all I have for you today! I hope you've enjoyed! See you next time!
-Al
