W4.1: Interactive Observation Assignment-GUO YING

 1. What did I do?

In this interactive observation, after thorough discussion with my group members, we chose Subway as our experimental setting and decided to place our order by singing. In the preparation phase, we created a schedule that included specific times for implementation, the process, and notes on what to observe and record. Subway is typically a fast, standardized dining environment, where customers directly state their orders to the staff, and the staff follows a set process to provide service. Therefore, to break this conventional social interaction, we decided to express our food choices through singing. Our plan was to mimic popular songs and integrate our orders into the lyrics, using a humorous and creative way to communicate with the staff. During this process, we not only observed the staff’s reactions but also paid attention to the expressions and body language of other customers, recording them in real time. My goal was to challenge social norms through this fun and lighthearted method, and to see how people would react in this unconventional situation. In the later phase, we summarized our observations and wrote the experiment report based on the phenomena we had noticed.

2.What did I learn?

Through this experiment, I learned about the role of social norms and behavioral conventions in everyday interactions. First, I realized that social rules play an important role in interpersonal communication, and breaking them can create a sense of uncertainty and confusion. My singing order disrupted the usual ordering process at Subway, leading to surprise and confusion from both the staff and customers for a brief moment. However, I also learned that social norms are not rigid, and people can adjust and adapt flexibly when confronted with unusual behaviors. For example, although the staff member was initially shocked, she quickly adjusted her tone and responded with a smile, demonstrating that people can respond elastically to atypical situations in social interactions. 

Additionally, I noticed that, although other customers didn’t directly participate in the interaction, their reactions also revealed how social rules influence people’s emotions and attitudes. Some customers appeared curious and smiled, while others seemed confused, indicating that different individuals have varying levels of tolerance and acceptance for social deviations.

3. Was it interesting?

The experiment was very interesting. It provided me with a fresh perspective on social interactions in daily life. By breaking the norm, I not only observed how people reacted in an unexpected situation but also gained insight into how social rules shape our daily behavior. Especially in this lighthearted and humorous interaction, social barriers seemed to disappear briefly, and relationships between people became more approachable and flexible. Although this behavior broke the norm, it did not provoke negative reactions; instead, it created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. This experience led me to reflect more on the relationship between social norms and individual behavior and realize that, in the right context, our actions and interactions can be more creative and flexible.