Food Line at the School Cafeteria

This attempt was not very successful. The researcher cut in front of a female student in her late teens. She was appeared to be alone, and was carrying a laptop. She was looking down at the floor and did not seem like she was paying attention to anyone. She said nothing as the researcher stepped in front of her, though he saw her grimace slightly and then return to looking at the floor. Nevertheless, a group of seven or eight students behind her quickly noticed the researcher's presence. One of them turned loudly to his friends and cried, "Did you just see that? This guy cut in front." The researcher pretended not to notice and tried to continue looking blankly ahead. Almost immediately, he felt a strong tap on his shoulder. A tall man in a denim jacket was sticking his reddened face in his. Two of his friends moved forward to back him up. One "What the (expletive) do you think you're doing?" A girl who had remained in the original group of seven or eight giggled before directing her other friends attentions to what was going on. "Look at this," she smiled. The man with the red face shoved the researcher in the back. The three men stepped closer to the researcher.... And the researcher left the line without saying a word.

Summary

The researcher found this an interesting experience....

He was never particularly frightened except in the final encounter on the school cafeteria line. In fact, he had though the movie theater would represent more of a challenge, as it was the most public of all the places. The experience taught the researcher that people, while jealous of their rights, are not necessarily quick to defend them in a public situation. Many may not even appear to notice, but when they, they will more likely comment to themselves than do anything in particular to change the situation. Typically, a "leader" emerges to lead the attack against the offender. The leader appears to operate by drawing others' attentions to what is going on. In two of the three cases, the leader urged another to take action against the researcher. In the third case, it was the leader himself who proceeded against the researcher. In all cases, people appeared to be very offended once they realized what was going on. Meekness on the part of the researcher did nothing to quell their outrage. Violations of social norms can apparently only be forgiven by undoing whatever it is the violator has done
References

http://www.questiaschool.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001761999

Schneider, I.E. (2000). Revisiting and Revising Recreation Conflict Research. Journal of Leisure Research, 32(1), 129.

Norm Violation