Franco Anthony Ruvolo

Field Observation

Intro. To Anthropology

For my observation I chose to go to a diner in the morning around 10:30-11:45.

The only significantly large group was a large group of roughly around 10
different males most likely 65+ and a small group of 3 females most likely
between the ages 13-16. From which they were the two main groups I would
closely examine for my field observation. For the large group men non-verbal
communication often times never happened outside the group. The men's
clothing style is that of what a stereotypical grandfather may wear
occasionally. Many were wearing different types of hats some of which indicated
military service, while a few were wearing glasses. The men never attempted any
form of tactile communication whenever I observed them, while visually they had
different gestures most notably with their hands. When they conversed with one
another I noticed that they were sitting near a television, which correlated with
their topics from political issues, economics, and sports. Lastly their behavior was
respectful with each other, yet whenever they would make any sort of joke the
others would laugh.
Now the group of girls didn't really have a lot of non-verbal communication
outside the group as well. When communicating with each other tactile gestures
would be non-aggressive shoves and taps, few gestures were traded by one
another. Communication was not that often seeing as how the girls were mainly
on their phones. Their behavior seemed to be somewhat sporadic in that they
can be calm one moment and then burst out in laughter. The clothing styles didn't
seem to differ from what a girls usual attire would be. They seemed to trade
different items with one another such as bracelets, makeup, and other items of
material worth. When they would be texting I only assume they were sending
each other info, pictures and other thing of said nature.
The significance of why I chose the diner is that it is somewhat epicenter of
cultures. This is do to it having a significance in instead of people eating alone
they instead are eating in groups, where friends or family convers with one
another. A place where people can get an understanding of new ideas or events
they themselves or others came across. Where people trade stories with one
another or important life changes. Such experiences I have shared likewise with

my friends and family leading to what can be describes as small cultures for
ourselves. This can be connected to when people from different communities
such as towns, tribes, or clans would gather at a meeting area and talk to each
other with different topics that are brought up. This form of gathering is seen
throughout the world in numerous cultures , so a diner can in a way be a
microcosm of how these cultures interact at a gathering.