extra credit：The Public Observation Assignment

                       What I Learned from Two Weeks at Starbucks

For two weeks, I did something that may sound simple — I sat in a Starbucks near my university three times a week, just watching people. Not in a creepy way, I promise. This was all part of our Public Observation Assignment, inspired by urban theorist William H. Whyte, who believed the physical design of a space shapes the way we behave in it.

1) So, what exactly did I do?

Armed with a notebook, a seating map, and (most importantly) coffee, I planted myself in a discreet corner seat at the Starbucks by Hanyang University (Ansan Campus). My goal was to track:

• where people sat,

• who they came with (alone, in pairs, or in groups),

• and what they were doing — laptop? phone? chatting? just chilling?

I observed during morning sessions (10:00–11:00am), three times a week, for two weeks straight. Every five minutes, I’d take note of new arrivals, their seating choices, and what they were up to.

2) What did I find?

Honestly, it was fascinating how consistent people's choices were.

1. Edges Rule
The most popular spots were along the edges: window bar seats and side tables. People preferred sitting near boundaries rather than in the middle. This perfectly echoes Whyte’s concept of the “Edge Effect” — we like to stay visible but grounded, semi-private but not isolated.

2. Sunlight Wins
Even indoors, people were drawn to sunlight. Window seats went first, every time. Whyte would call this a “Sunlight Magnet.”

3. Most People Were Solo
Despite being a public and social space, most visitors were alone — working, reading, or just existing in peace. Turns out, public spaces are often used for private rituals.

4. Comfort Affects Time
The cozy sofa areas were always occupied longer than hard, backless stools. Just like Whyte said: the more comfortable the space, the longer we linger.

5. Movement Is Self-Organized
People avoided blocking others, waited politely for drinks, and naturally carved out micro-pathways between furniture. It reminded me that people do intuitively know how to “behave” in shared spaces — no signs required.

3) Was it fun?

Surprisingly — yes.

I never thought sitting quietly in a Starbucks could be so insightful. I learned to see design not just as decoration, but as a silent force that guides behavior. I found beauty in watching how strangers choreograph themselves around each other with no words. It made me more mindful of how I use public space, too.

Plus, it gave me an excuse to buy a lot of lattes. Research, right?

4) What did I learn?

This project taught me to observe the everyday with fresh eyes. It taught me that design choices — like window placement or sofa arrangements — can shape human interaction in subtle but powerful ways. Whyte’s theories felt more alive than ever, not in a New York plaza, but in my local cafe.