[Week4]Extra Credit Blog : The Interaction analysis (Seo Eun Su)

 For the Interaction assignment, I conducted an observation session myself.

First, let me tell you the setting. My observation took place in March 23rd at 7pm. The place I choose was a gym that I go for workout. The day I conducted the observation was not my personal training day, so I was able to watch how people communicate with each other well.

Now, let me tell you what I saw there. Among many people, I focused on the behavior or one particular trainer who I will call 'Michael.' When I started watching, Michael was helping his client who looked like a beginner. He acted friendly and active toward her. He kept an eye-contact and always started the first chatting at break times. I heard him trying to make personal connections like, 'I remember your favorite food was pizza, right?' or 'You can call me on weekends and go run together!' Also, When needed to touch her shoulder to fix the position, he was very gentle careful.

However, when the session was over, he was hanging around with other trainers behind the counter. I saw them teasing each other with couple of swear words. It was interesting that Michael always maintained a flawless posture outside but just sat around free with one leg folded.

To analyze with Goffman's terms, In Michael's performance, the audience was the customer who took his personal training. He prepared the setting by fixing his hear neat with wax, keeping a confident voice tone. Since he was a service job worker, the part of gym where clients are working out was his front region. He played respectful and friendly routine, constantly smiling. On the other hand, behind the counter was backside of stage. In this region, Michael was acting differently with expected role of his audience. Also, Michael was team with other trainers, which I could see by their naming behavior. One of them called Michael by his name but soon corrected to 'Mr.' when I went in. I can say this was their team performance to protect their image.

To sum up, I could apply many aspect of Goffman's theory in real life. The most interesting part for me was the performer actually trying to ensure his audience to believe their relationship is special. I guess this is one of the main strategies of health trainers to keep their clients. It was a fun observation where I could learn that sociology is inside our everyday life.