For our second activity, we were supposed to go to a public place that we do not go to regularly and observe people. This was difficult for me since I am living back home for the summer in the town that I have lived since I was only a few months old. Most public places I have visited regularly or am not allowed into (such as a bar). I tried to put myself in a position I would not normally be seen in so I went to a grocery store. I do stop here every now and then, but usually only stop to grab something quick and head out the door. Tonight I decided to spend some time browsing and doing some grocery shopping.
Tonight, I observed how other people act in general and how they act while they are alone or while they are with other people. Most shoppers in a grocery store at 8:00 at night are by themselves. Rarely do you get a family or a couple, it was mostly just someone grabbing a gallon of milk or getting themselves a quick dinner, not very many people doing serious shopping.
The “rule of thumb” so to say here was to keep to yourself. Most of the people I observed tonight would avoid others as much as possible. They would go down opposite aisles or walk on the other side of the aisle to keep their distance. If they were forced to pass one another, they would either avoid eye contact all together or quickly glance up and glance away. Staring in this case seemed inappropriate. There are a few people who would walk by and politely smile or gesture somehow that they are acknowledging your presence, but most people were in a hurry just trying to find what they needed and leave.
“Forbidden behaviors” were somewhat difficult to imagine in this case, since it rarely, if ever, happens. What I would imagine to be unusual behavior would be to walk by and say hello to everyone passing you, or to walk right next to someone, or stare at them as you walk by. If this were to happen, I think most people would be kind of creeped out by them. I know if I were in this case, if a random person came up to me and started up a conversation, I would be questioning their motives. I would probably think they were trying to steal something. It is quite difficult to imagine this happening since it really does not occur.
If forbidden behaviors were not real and did not exist, I think the world would honestly be a better place. I think that everyone would be a lot friendlier and a lot more trusting. If I could walk up to a random person and strike up a conversation, I think grocery shopping would be a lot more interesting and easy. I think everyone would have each other’s backs and there would be less crime overall because nobody would be scared of one another and everyone would feel guilty of doing wrong.
Overall, this activity was very interesting to me. I enjoy “people watching” and am very interested in behaviors that other’s engage in. I think it is interesting how people react to one another and how they treat one another. I wish we did not have “forbidden rules” in today’s society, but it is just one of those things that make the world how it is.
Do you think there is any way to get rid of these “forbidden behaviors?” Do you think there is a reason for them?
I don't think the "forbidden behaviors" will ever go away. If someone started walking really close to me and randomly talking to me I would be a little bit creeped out and probably try to avoid them at all cost. I agree that if they were totally eliminated the world would be a better place, but people like their space and many of them dislike talking to strangers. I don't know that there is a reason for them but I'm sure it's just what we were taught and what everyone before us was taught. In different cultures it's weird to make eye contact with people you know well in certain situations. I think it's just the social construct that we've been brought up with.
ReplyDeleteI think forbidden behaviors will always exist. There are just certain things that people must not do for the sake of others comforability. Every forbidden behavior exists because of what we have learned from our ansistors or from our superiors through out our lives. We all may have been taught different things that is why we run into issues at times with different cultures or people who were brought up learning different forbidden behaviors.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting place to visit I think because you never really pay attention to what people actually do at the grocery store, unless of course that is what you are there to do. I believe most people go into the grocery store not looking to socialize or make friends but rather run in, get what they need, and run out. It seems like everyone today is always in a rush and never takes the time to even enjoy something as little as grocery shopping... maybe that'll make us think next time we visit one!
ReplyDelete"Forbidden behaviors" will always be around. I think people in public are so busy they are not thinking about what others are doing or wanting to strike up conversations. I think most people are too busy with their own lives to worry about others around them. I think people should be able to be trusted as well, but there is so much fear in everyone that it would be hard. These rules will always be around to keep society in order because there will always be that one person who will steal and then people will trust no one.
ReplyDeleteAs long as we live in the USA, there will be behaviors that our society deems inappropriate. I know that in certain cultures standing very close to someone is no big deal and is even expected when in a conversation. However, in our society we cherish our personal space, and this does not seem to be a relative thing in most circumstances. I would have to say that I don't necessarily agree that "forbidden behaviors" should be done away with, however, as I think that some of these rules are necessary for keeping our own identity and sense of perspective in check.
ReplyDeleteI also feel that forbidden behavior will always exist in America. For the most part people would be friendlier if we didn’t have to worry about being viewed as creepy when talking to strangers. However, I think forbidden behaviors are need in some places, like in church. If people were talking and being boisterous during the service, going to church would lose its sanctity.
ReplyDeleteI think that forbidden rules have been put in place to protect our society. I think you're right, that it would be much nicer if we did not have them. I think that because of the horrible things that have happened (and will continue to happen) in our society, there will always be a need for forbidden rules. These rules are designed to protect us from things that will harm us. The reason we do not strike up conversation's with complete strangers in the grocery store is that our society has programmed us to believe that these people could be murderers or kidnappers.
ReplyDeleteWith a grocery store I wouldn't see "forbidden behaviors" being such a big deal because as employees you are to interact with customers. However between customers it's their choice to interact with each other, I used to work in a grocery store in a small town where everyone knew almost everyone and people had a tendency to say to talk to each other even if they didn't know each other.
ReplyDeleteForbidden behaviors stem from centuries of culture and behavior, so I don't think they are going anywhere besides perhaps evolving. In my hometown the grocery store was a social arena. Everyone talked to everyone, and if they were new in town, well, they were known soon enough. I think it has a lot to do with the location. I lived in a very small town.
ReplyDeleteI think our society is gradually changing in respects to these "forbidden behaviors." In short, I think we are becoming less and less comfortable with external distractions, such as someone looking at us, or someone suddenly striking up a conversation with us. I say this because our society is becomming slightly more internalized. For instance, several individuals now listen to ipods. When we listen to our ipods, we nonverbally tell people "don't distract me." Also, cell phones are making society more internalized, I think. For instance, text messaging has made phone calls less pertinent. Thus, we are relying less and less on external acts to live our lives.
ReplyDeleteSo, because of the previously stated reasons, I think our society will grow more and more uncomfortable with external distractions.