So for my project I think I want to study the people who go to Starbucks. It sounds weird but they are most definitely worth studying, especially the regulars. First of all, i work it should be easy to "go into the field" so to speak. Secondly, It gives me something to do while I'm working so I don't get bored at work (two birds with one stone). And third, its something I've always wondered about.
Basically, I want to study to Folk who come into Starbucks regularly along with the people who work there. Why are these people willing to pay 5$ for a cup of coffee? Is it really just the fact that the coffee is that good (I doubt it, it really isnt all that great)? Many of the customers come in religiously and get genuinely upset if you dont happen to have what they want that particular day, almost as if it will ruin everything about their day. Do the people who come in see Starbucks as almost some type of elitest coffee group? If so, why?
I hope to answer all of these questions and come up with more as I do more research. I can interview people while I'm at work, customers and coworkers alike. I have seen many odd things since working at Starbucks which I have never addressed. Things like how certain people come in around the same time every morning and form groups and friendships while waiting on line for their drinks together, but the second they leave the store its almost as if they never met. Or how the customers view us (the employees). Do they consider us friends because we see each other every day? Also i want to see why employees stay with starbucks and how they view the customers. I know many people who are very unhappy with the job but stay with it anyway, is there some reason why?
Obviously I need to refine my project a bit, be more specific with the study but there is alot to study. The groups formed and the traditions of coming every day are interesting. I will obviously have my biases as I am an insider, but that only makes it more interesting. I could even interview the people who no longer work for Starbucks, do they still see themselves as part of that culture? This is a very doable project and one that I find relativley interesting. The only concern I have about this project is how my boss reacts to me interviewing customers while making their drinks...
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carl, this is an interesting project, but as you say, it is a bit broad. i think you are trying to take on too much here, and i'm worried that it will end up being fragmented/general rather than a specific look at particular aspects of a community.
ReplyDeletealso, your "insider status" could be problematic here. the ethical concerns are complicated in this case because you are an employee of starbucks: how do you think your employers will feel about your conducting fieldwork while you are "on the clock"? also, you may be discussing things with the customers that may make them critical of their starbucks experience, and that could cause conflict with your official status as a representative of the company. you need to let the company (the people you work with) know that you are conducting your research, and i worry about the implications. think about this issue as you revise ...