The first problem of attempting to find a good seat, or a seat at all during busy times has been my most difficult. I usually have to be relegated towards guerilla tactics against other customers to get a good seat for data. The thing is that I want to appear as if I am not there - as if I am not affecting the subjects' decisions. But if I go against someone directly for a seat, then I would be interfering with their ``natural'' decision. I am making my mark, or presence known and affecting the enviornment. Seeing as it is packed most of the times when I am assigned to be there, I just do not put up a fuss and try to keep everything in my head until I can write it down. Walking around with a pad and pen doesn't do too well for the employees who think that I am some sort of inspector.
The second problem is of catching information. I can never seem to get enough of it, or even know what I am trying to write down. I am attempting to get everything, but I am a bit shaky as to what to consider important enough to write down. How much is enough! It seems to me that I am writing down insignificant data (I.E.: Someone's dress.) But also after seeing my goal as being measuring the frustration of employees as the night progresses, it seems like I cant find information at all. I cannot measure their ``frustration.''
I have also been talking with individuals around the coffee house. I have started talking with an employee who is a fellow sociology major. I have asked her what she thinks about the job, and asked her about some of her other co-workers. She has given quite a bit of information that I might need to know (especially if I am to measure one's frustration level.) She told me about the normal attitudes of some of the other workers and of their general laziness. Particularly, she has supplied me with a timetable, so that I can come in at particular times and see when they arrive, versus when they leave.