(JBC) Coffee Shop Ethnography

As I sit in a local Starbucks I see the different types of people coming in and how the workers and customers interact with one another. When I first come in, I’m greeted and I walk up to order my drink. The workers are welcoming and attentive. I go to sit down and I see people around me already going about their day. Some look up and give me a half smile as I approach the chairs. I look around me and come to realize the most people sitting down are busy at work either on their laptops or reading a book. Its a Sunday afternoon so there’s not many people coming in but I mostly see around me young adults probably in college. Most people don’t care to come inside to order and sit down instead, the drive thru stays busy at all times. I notice the few people that come in are mostly teenagers and some adults. The majority of those coming in appear caucasian and hispanic for the most part. When they come in they’re greeted same as me. This creates a welcoming environment for them and everyone else who’s already there. Those who come in order their drink and stand aside waiting while they scroll through their phones and talk with their friends. The teenagers that come inside are usually ones who seem too young to drive and they come in groups of girls. It’s rare to see a group of boys come in or singular boys. Those who do come in are older and in college and they take the time to sit down and prop open their laptop to do some work. During the time that I’m there everyone seems friendly and welcoming, however, no one seems to talk to anyone they don’t know. Mostly, people just come in order sit down or leave and just keep to themselves and their phones the whole time. It’s become normal not to socialize with others in person or to go past a greeting and an order.