One of the most populated places at all times is the mall. That is why I decided to visit a local mall to observe various types of interactions in a public setting. Even though most people consider themselves to be almost invisible in a public place, they often are not. Most people go to the mall for a particular reason: shopping, food, walking, or anything else that may be related to the type of shops in the mall. That is why the type of people that visit, are just as eclectic, thus their interactions are that much more interesting to observe. The mall that I visited is comparatively new, with three stories altogether. The bottom one is mostly occupied by the food court, while the second and third host a movie theater and a children’s playground. …show more content…
The people that passed through the area were quite different, yet, similar in a way, that they all seem relaxed and happy in a way. They were of all ages, even though mostly young people, I did not spot more than a few seniors. Most of them were carrying shopping bags, and some were carrying food or drinks in their hands. The type of socialization I noticed was primarily between the people themselves; friends were talking, discussing where to go next, or parents talking to each other and talking to their children, making sure they are closely following them. I also observed the sales associates communicating with the people walking in the mall; they were giving them directions to where that shop is, or answering other questions about the merchandise. On few occasions I observed some men looking at the passing by women and trying to start a conversation. The ascribed status of some of the children, as I can observe was that they were blond, bright eyes and quite tall. The achieved status of the people that I saw was that they were parents, they were husband/wife, and some of them looked like they were athletes, from their attire and body
Target stores, inc.is a sister company of Dayton Hudson Corporation and started in the year 1962 the same year as two other large retail stores Wal-mart and Kmart. Target has always operated with the motto “ Expect More and Pay Less” target is the third in the big three in U.S. falling behind Wal-Mart and Kmart.a major part of target's success comes from its ability to bundle bargain prices with fashionable name brand merchandise with excellent customer service. Dayton’s department store started looking into Target as a discount chain in the year of 1962 when the company saw a rising in public demand for lower priced merchandise in a family friendly and convenient environment. The name target along with the bulls eye logo were selected for the company's visual impact also to show that target aims at offering
When the lift doors opened at the sixth floor, a wave of dim light and buzzing voices greeted me. It was as if I'd taken the lift to a dark movie from the 70s. Facing me was the entrance to a supermarket selling all types of candy, weird foods, and random home items. Wondering what about the market attracted so many eyeballs and footfalls, I began walking around the floor, and then from floor to floor, observing the many stylistic and curious shops.
I walked into the front of the store to see a crowd of people searching for a good grocery cart. One that wouldn’t wobble every second that you pushed it. I took a look at many of the faces as they were beginning or ending their shopping experience. The people walking in looking for a cart seemed unsure or not pleased to be there in the first place. While the people leaving looked happy and eager to get home. I took this as a clear sign that this was not the most enjoyable place to ...
My first observation exercise was at the shopping arena. The shoppers tended to move in groups and were more concerned with the needs of their groups. The children however socialized in between groups prompting uncomfortable apologies and new friendships. The workers' age seemed to be distributed from as low as 18 to the mid-60s. Races were diverse ranging from Hispanic to Caucasian to Africans and Asians. The mall was female dominant though there were males present. The staff at most of the stores had on casual clothing, seeming happy and patient with the children and impatient customers. They also knew each other without having to look at their name tags and I did not observe any tension amongst the workers.
By using observation method, a wide variety of behavior can be recorded. Picking through the garbage on the side of the road can reveal behaviors of fast-food customers, or sitting for only one hour in the university canteen can understand the gender differences in choosing (diet) meal, or even watching the customer’s behavior from deciding which yogurt to be taken off its store shelves in the supermarket can also answer the question: Are the customers be attracted by its appearance or flavor or price or brand or nutrition? The aim of this observation assignment is to evaluate and explain the different types of interactions between individual and groups present, as well as the environment in which these interactions take place. The field observation was conducted at the Vietnamese fast-food restaurant named “We love Banhmi” in Budapest, and the role adopted, was that of observer as a non-participant. Group structures as well as overall activity, patterns of behavior, and the duration and timing of such behaviors and interactions were observed and recorded. Sociological concepts pertaining to age, gender, and appearance were also noted and applied.
Mall appreciators argue that the malls are centers of entertainment and pleasure for mall visitors. George Lewis in “The mall as Refuge”, asserts that “kids come to look around, meet and make friends, stay away from home and hang out- because there is nowhere else to go” (1990, P. 309). He believes that teenagers go to malls to socialize and to escape from the troubles in their lives and at home. Therefore, malls serve as a second home for kids. Similarly, Lewis says that with the controlled environment of malls, with the security and the central location of malls as a good reason why many retired, and old people visit malls. Here they get to meet up with old friends, exercise, eat out, and share experiences with their old friends. These two groups as Lewis claims are misfits in society because; the world considers them as unproductive. Jon Pahl also ...
I glanced around the dimly lit dining room of our neighborhood Jack-In-The-Box at the collection of adolescent girls and boys gossiping about their absent friends, urban families enjoying their weekly treat of chicken fingers with exotic dipping sauces, and a teenage employee attempting to grasp a carpet sweeper with her fry-greased hands. As each of their gazes wandered the room curiously observing the quaint surroundings, their eyes conveniently skipped over the socially unacceptable figure in the corner, but I saw him clearly.
Goss argues that developers and designers of the built environment, specifically shopping centers and malls, use the power of place and understanding the structural layout of the space to boost consumption of the retail profits. Shopping centers are separated from the downtown area of shopping, either by distance and/or design. These establishments emerge for many to be the new heart and location for public and social life. In his article The "Magic of the Mall": An Analysis of Form, Function, and Meaning in the Contemporary Retail Built Environment, Goss also argues that the regulation of the spaces within the mall creates an atmosphere of "community" rather than one that is "public". This article’s main argument is that developers manufacture an illusion of doing more than just shopping when designing malls and shopping centers.
Tremendous shopping centers, malls, even those little corner shops became an icon of American culture and its society. We are constantly manipulated by these so called convenient public places where escaping from it would be almost impossible. There are probably a 50% of chances that we will start our day with a cup of coffee in one, buy our afternoon lunch in the other one, or end up just walking around one. Shopping centers are everywhere; we cannot escape from it. Moreover, we do not want to escape from it as we are constantly underestimating the power and the real impact these places have on our society. Thus these places play a huge role in the process of socialization and are largely influencing the development of our society as a whole. In order to understand the way these places are emphasizing the gender differences and inequalities between the sexes, I decided to visit the local store Walmart and through an observation of its environment and its settings try to record its power of gendering. I was looking for a proof that gender is not merely an element of individual identity, but a socially constructed institutional phenomenon which is even imposed in our shopping centers and local stores.
The first time I visited a sexual consumer site was in 1999, in Mayport, Florida with my then boyfriend, now my husband Juan. It was late at night and the building was poorly lit. I remember feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed. I kept wondering if I would run into anyone I knew or if anyone saw me entering the building. At the time visiting the sex shop was part of a rite of passage that also included getting into my first 18 and over club and getting my first tattoo. I remember that I felt ashamed and dirty entering a small store filled with porn VHS tapes and dildos. Still, I was an adult this meant that I was old enough to vote, buy cigarettes, and buy porn.
Around Christmas time all people have a different way we like to go about shopping. Some like to stay in the comfort of their own home. While others like to save every little penny they can and some shoppers like to get in and out of the store as fast as possible. There are three types of holiday shoppers, the online shoppers, the bargain shoppers, and last but not least the man on a mission.
I am about to describe to you a walk in the park. That being said a few details are required for you to fully picture the likes of what I am about to describe. The time of day is a little past noon and the wind is howling. The sky is a pastel blue, almost as if a wash of blue light was covering a white canvas. The sun is vibrant and concentrated. You can sense the gentle warmth of the sun on your skin and see the lively colors of the world all around you. Alert to the dancing light that surrounds you, your journey begins. Searching for your starting point you choose to begin walking down a gravel pathway that has a clearing of trees a few hundred feet away. The day has a familiar, inviting glow and all around the gentle colors of green, yellow and red surround the pathway. The sun a luminous
I am black, I am a woman, growing up I was called “white girl.” As a black woman from sin city (Las Vegas, NV) the term urban did not describe my reality. Perception can be the only reality that you see in examining the lens of what is “urban”. What is urban? When the word urban comes to mind does it elicit emotions of privilege, pride or fear? Hunter; & Leonardo (2007) look at the term “urban” (particularly in the ghetto) they define it as both a “real” and “imaginary place” and divides the urban perspective into three distinctive categories of “space”: Urban is sophisticated, Urban is authentic, and Urban is a Jungle. Furthermore, from the text the author(s) argue, “daily constructions
Shopping is something that has to be done whether you enjoy it or not to get essentials needed. We all go places where merchandize is being sold for a specific reason. Whether you go to the mall, shopping centers, or your local grocery store, you 'll always encounter many types of shoppers. Shopping isn’t always as fun as it sounds to everyone, but it is something we often do. This is the only way we get products we need, by personally buying them. You have three main shoppers including impulse buyers, list makers, and bargain hunters.
Finally, the mall is a wonderful entertainment center. Not only do people go there to shop, but they also got there for relaxation. There are movies sometimes as many as fifteen or sixteen. In addition, arcades are available for children, teens and adults. Some parents drop their children off at the arcade, give them a roll of quarters and pick them up after they have completed their shopping. For the hungry shopper there is a food court, which provides fast food for those shoppers who want to relax and possibly have a cocktail with their meal, other restaurants are available.