uckley
Coffee House Culture
Introduction
The aim of this ethnography was to observe differences in the cultural environment of those who go to Starbucks vs those who go to Cianfrani’s. I chose this topic because it is an atmosphere that is not usually dwelt on. Think about it, whenever you go to a coffee shop you pretty much stay in your own little bubble, be it just you or you and some friends. Really no one looks beyond that little bubble. This ethnography pops that bubble and observes a setting where one doesn 't usually look beyond much more than themselves. What I hoped to learn through these comparative observations were how people interact differently or similarly within different approaches to the same environment. In particular, I observed how customers interact with those working at the coffee shop. I not only observed people on people interactions, but also their interactions and dependence on technology, specifically the use of technology as a safety blanket to avoid contact with those around them. I also observed what people use these two coffee shops for, be it for professional, social, or other; one a commercial giant, the other a local favorite and Georgetown exclusive.
Methodology For my coffee house comparison, the decision on which coffee shops to …show more content…
At one point the Starbucks line almost reached the door. This longer line, while showing just how successful Starbucks is, could also be a byproduct of the generally more complex orders at Starbucks. These more complex order are aimed at the “me generation.” "Coffees [have become] more personal , more accessible.” (D’Costa, blogs.scientificamerican.com) Even middle school age kids buy ‘coffees’ these day. And by ‘coffee’ I mean tooth decayingly sweet frappuccinos. For example, while in Starbuck I saw a girl probably around 13, buying a cotton candy
Coffee House Culture
Introduction
The aim of this ethnography was to observe differences in the cultural environment of those who go to Starbucks vs those who go to Cianfrani’s. I chose this topic because it is an atmosphere that is not usually dwelt on. Think about it, whenever you go to a coffee shop you pretty much stay in your own little bubble, be it just you or you and some friends. Really no one looks beyond that little bubble. This ethnography pops that bubble and observes a setting where one doesn 't usually look beyond much more than themselves. What I hoped to learn through these comparative observations were how people interact differently or similarly within different approaches to the same environment. In particular, I observed how customers interact with those working at the coffee shop. I not only observed people on people interactions, but also their interactions and dependence on technology, specifically the use of technology as a safety blanket to avoid contact with those around them. I also observed what people use these two coffee shops for, be it for professional, social, or other; one a commercial giant, the other a local favorite and Georgetown exclusive.
Methodology For my coffee house comparison, the decision on which coffee shops to …show more content…
At one point the Starbucks line almost reached the door. This longer line, while showing just how successful Starbucks is, could also be a byproduct of the generally more complex orders at Starbucks. These more complex order are aimed at the “me generation.” "Coffees [have become] more personal , more accessible.” (D’Costa, blogs.scientificamerican.com) Even middle school age kids buy ‘coffees’ these day. And by ‘coffee’ I mean tooth decayingly sweet frappuccinos. For example, while in Starbuck I saw a girl probably around 13, buying a cotton candy