Emilio M. Recio

Anthropology 499-370

2000-01-15

The site which I have selected for my ethnographic research is South Cafe on South Street between 6^th and 7^th streets. This site is appropriate for the course because of the complicated social interactions between each individual (employees, employers, clientele, &c.) Many different types of people frequent the coffee house: from French speaking Middle-Easterners, who gather on an almost daily basis, to the latest technophile.

Having been a regular customer of the coffee house for over four years, I have come to appreciate its small atmosphere (in terms of physical space.) It is so small that normal conversations are audible throughout the whole coffee house; You cannot, and should not, extend your arms without hitting someone sitting nearby. As a result, clients tend to keep their voices down and remain to themselves, while the wait staff enjoy themselves, every once in a while - to break the silence - playing loud music, joking around in a loud voice. Further I have been able to become familiar with the various types of people and when they come in. It makes planning for times to be there, in order to catch interesting exchanges, slightly easier.

The site selected is quite easily accessible; it is only a five minute walk from home, and is on the way to school (and work.) The employees do not mind if you were to spend several hours there with only one cup of coffee: making it a very cheap locale to select as a site.