Now that I've had my first chance to really observe my field without being in a rush to catch my bus or anything, I'd like to reflect on what I think about them. Mainly, I would like to highlight what surprised me the most, what most interested me and what I was uncomfortable with.
First, what surprised me the most was when I was approached by somebody that recognized me, since everybody else was so isolated. I didn't understand why he felt so comfortable approaching me yet not anybody else, considering that him and I didn't talk much the one time that we met on campus. Also it struck me as odd that he would approach me even though I was working in my notebook and looking around at the time, seemingly busy.
Next, I was intrigued by the concept of using headphones and music as a way to cut yourself off from those around you. Since the bus stop in theory should be a pretty sociable place with everybody trying to get to the same place for mostly the same reasons, but instead people would rather be alone and listening to music, something they could be doing when they are actually alone.
Lastly, I was disgusted by the lack of conversation while people were waiting for the bus. All of the people packed so tightly together should have been utter chaos with people trying to talk, picture a classroom or a small get together with friends, but instead it is desolate aside from a few friends whispering.
If you have yet to notice the reoccurring theme, the thing that stuck out to me the most in every way was the social environment at the bus stop, or rather the lack there of. While watching the drab silence and people staring at their phones, I kept trying to think of reasons or excuses why not one person wanted to talk to the other, and I realized that it's a lot more obvious looking from a distance than when you are also waiting for a bus.
I have taken the bus so many times, and sometimes because the bus takes so long to come I have no other option but to observe my surroundings .And I agree with you, its funny how people isolate themselves when this can be a chance to meet new people . I personally have made so many new acquaintances, some I see again others are just pleasant memories. I'm intrigued to read what else will you discovers at KP. Great work so far !
ReplyDeleteI have never taken the bus, and I have yet decided when I would take it for the first time. However, I did take a school bus when I was in middle school and I used to put my headphones in so I wouldn't have to talk to anyone on the bus. This was because I was scared of all the upper classmen on the bus with me and I thought they were going to be mean to me so in order to ignore them and dislocate myself from my peers I would listen to my Ipod. I am usually not one to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, so I know I would be one of the quite people on the bus. Good work so far Ryan! I am really enjoying your field working project.
ReplyDeletePertaining to Kennedy Plaza I think I have some input that can contribute to what you are finding about the socialization there. So I have been taking the ripta buses since the begging of the school year, and I am a regular on a few buses so I always say hello and such to the drivers, but what is interesting is the other people that are on the bus. For I have never talked to many of the people on the bus but there are some regulars on each of my buses like me, but what is interesting is that when we all step off the bus and happen to see each other again, like on campus or around Kennedy Plaza, we always smile and say hi. I just think you might find this interesting because it is almost as if we (as bus riders) know each other even though we don't at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThe socialization environment at the Kennedy Plaza bus stop is strikingly similar to that on the quad at RIC. I think you might be able to do something with this; you explain what great conflict there is between the way people are packed like sardines but all doing there own thing, plugged into their ipods and their own little worlds. You might wish to explore if this is a cause/effect situation, rather than a conflict. After all, there is a strong connection between the mind and the world around us. Like Dr. Cook said, the social culture in the US prohibits being close to people; this is why it feels awkward to sit next to the only other person in the movie theater. Maybe the awkwardness of being so close together results in people instead seeking personal space mentally by doing their own things.
ReplyDeleteRyan: This is great. We are pathetic! I am here in Britain and everyone talks to me! They are fearless and social and awesome. No one talks to me in Rhode Island, unless I initiate, unless they're yelling an insult at me, or unless I ask a question. Why are Americans so isolated from one another? Why do we use technological devices to separate ourselves from one another, to cut ourselves off from one another, to drown out ambient noise and to avoid talking to strangers? Are we a nation of extroverts? Is this only a reality in the city? If you rode the bus to Coventry and got off, would people be friendlier? If you flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and hopped on a city bus, do you think people would talk to you on the bus? As a person who travels a lot and has lots of international friends who've visited America, I can say that their feedback validates what you are seeing at Kennedy Plaza. And, I think this is a massive theme that you should talk with Katie Berard about; she's seeing it, too. Read her analysis of fieldnotes #1! I hope you continue to explore this phenomenon and delve deeply into the "WHY?" as you move forward. I LOVE what Lindsey has contributed here to your data, and I wonder that, once you become a regular, Ryan (why aren't you already a regular?), perhaps you'll have friendly faces to smile at as well. A good trend to pay attention to...you developing your "cred" as a regular on the RIPTA. I wonder what ideas you have for changing your experience a bit for fieldnotes #2. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say I've never taken a bus other than a large yellow smelly one before. I can however relate to using headphones to cut myself off from the rest of the people wherever I am. It's so sad that this has been become the norm for us as a people. I see it everywhere I go, not limited to age range or demographic, people find a way to make themselves inaccessible.
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