Today I went to Woodbury's Central Park, it is an inside park where there are always lots of people. I do go there sometimes but I do not people watch, I usually have to much work to do. I sat outside of the library where I could see into the library and out at the park. Everyone was either walking from place to place or sitting at a table working on a computer. I noticed many unwritten rules that I have never noticed before watching people in the park.
People walking by me usually didn't make eye contact or look in my direction. If someone did look in my direction, they only made eye contact for a short time before looking away. I tired to keep their eye contact or at least look at them so they had an opportunity to make eye contact with me. One man I made eye contact with started to walk back near me like he wanted to talk to me, then turned around and went on his way. That was strange because I just looked at him, and didn't necessarily want to talk.
Many people were walking through the park with their family or friends, most people were standing about 7 inches apart and speaking quietly so others could not hear them. There was one young woman that came into the park talking on her cell phone really loudly. It was so different from the way all of the other people were acting. I could hear her whole conversation and there were so many people around working, you would think she would distract them. When she walked in everyone stopped and looked at her, just for a second then went back to work.
In the library people would stand about 5 feet away from each other while looking at books. I thought that was a normal distance so if you want a book near them you would wait for them to move. At the library tables people wouldn't sit at a table near anyone else. They would find a new table further away.
Another thing I found really interesting was the people walking would always have their hands close to their body. Their hands were either at their sides, folded, or holding something. I thought that was interesting because they weren't bothering anyone if they were to do something different, but they didn't want to attract attention to themselves. There was one man who was swinging a bag from side to side while he was walking, he didn't bother anyone but I was thinking what is making him swing his bag when no one else is moving their arms.
I saw many distinct unwritten rules while observing in the park. One that people speak quietly, and they walk with their arms close to their body. If someone were to come to the park and not follow the rules, nothing would happen to them, they may just feel out of place and people around may look at them for a minute then go back to what they were doing. I think most people in society don't want to attract attention to themselves so they stay away from others and blend in. I know when I saw the couple people not exactly following the rules I looked at them and wondered what they were doing.
Are the unwritten rules you observed ones that you follow? How would you feel if you didn't know the rules and people were staring at you?
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The unwritten rules I observed are the ones I follow. I don't like awkward situations and I try to avoid them at all costs. The best way to avoid awkward situations is to follow the unwritten rules. I think it would be so strange if someone were to just walk up to you and start talking. I don't really know how I would react. I would be so embarrassed if I didn't know the rules and people were staring at me. Like I said, I don't like the attention being put on me and think it would be uncomfortable for not only me, but for the other individual that was experiencing my breaking of the rules.
ReplyDeleteThe unwritten rules I saw were not ones I consciously follow when I am in the situation I observed. However, the rules I observed were contrary to typical social rules and therefore could be seen as abnormal due to the situation. I know for certain that I would be completely embarassed if I was breaking an unwritten rule and this led to unwanted attention. I think that is why people have strange dreams like going to school without clothes on or things like that. People do not want to step outside of the socially accepted rules and norms, and will act accordingly in any situation. But if the rules aren't known, such as when visiting another country or culture, embarassing moments are bound to occur. I think that is perhaps what the movie "Borat" is satirizing.
ReplyDeleteThe main unwritten rule that I saw is, do not sit at a table that only has one person with their stuff spread out. I do follow this rule because it is really annoying to me when someone does not follow it for me. Though I did break the rule when I was observing, it was to see the reaction I would receive from someone while doing so. The place that I observed was connected to a library so it is generally considered to be a quiet place. I do follow the rule that if it is a quiet place, I lower my voice and the noises I make. I think that I would feel really uncomfortable if I did not know the rules and someone was staring at me. I hate being the center of attention and I feel that this would be putting too much attention on myself.
ReplyDeleteBreaking a rule and receiving attention for it would be very embarrassing. Consider dropping your books in a hallway-the rule is to not drop you're books like a klutz, right? So when you do it, you get that feeling that everyone's watching. Ick. The main rule I saw during observation was how the guests in the restaurant stayed in their seat unless heading towards the restrooms.
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