Culturally-Patterned Behavior
The elevator site that I chose was the Downtown Container Park in Las Vegas. From the observation, the premise is a sustainable shopping place that connects over 30 boutiques, bars, galleries and other eateries. I visited the mall at 1 PM when people were at the climax of their activities. During the study, I conducted seven trips in the same elevator. Throughout the elevator, I discovered different atmospheres. Additionally, the elevator was crowded with over six people per trip.
In the first trip, there were six people in the elevator. However, these came from different backgrounds, and no individual knew the other. For this reason, there was a silent mood in the elevator all through to the destination. People did not have a common story to share hence no one talked to the other. On the second and subsequent trips, there was a trend. In this case, some people knew each other. From the analysis, some worked in the shopping mall and others were relatives and friends. Therefore, they had a conversation and shared common stories. However, people who never had someone to converse just kept silent.
1c.
The mood of the people in the elevator during all my observations varied. Some would be tensed about each other while others would jovially interact. This may have been influenced largely by their diversity.
2a.
Significantly, culture familiarity is among the pertinent knowledge that one requires. The reason is that people from different backgrounds...
For instance, Las Vegas is made up of people with diverse backgrounds in terms of race, religion, age, and culture among others. One should know how to relate with people to ride in the elevators comfortably. Interpersonal relation skills are necessary to understand various things and to identify the appropriate thing to do in different environments. Asking directions of a certain place is a common thing. However, one must have the appropriate interpersonal skills to get help.
2b.
Throughout the fieldwork, I realized one non-normative elevator behavior. The action came from a couple that was overexcited about something. They were shouting all through and causing an unnecessary commotion. Besides, they made it impossible for other people in the elevator to converse in an easy manner. Such behavior is not necessary for such an environment hence it is a deviant behavior. People should realize the appropriate things to do in particular environments. Cultural appropriateness is necessary because an elevator atmosphere is meant for the public.
3a.
Throughout the activity is realized one strange thing that struck me. In this case, I realized that people are not free to interact with someone they do not know. In the fieldwork, I realized that it difficult for two individuals to engage in a conversation with a prior knowledge about the person. Besides, I realized that for such a thing to happen the parties must share the same culture or background. The notion that struck…
