By: Anonymous
Eastern Michigan University, 2009
The following ethnography was a draft, so it has some areas that are very effective and some areas that need improvement. We will read and analyze this together to discuss what makes for an effective ethnography. I do not recommend using this ethnography as a full example of how to write an ethnography.
Additionally, some of the requirements for this paper were different when this paper was written.
We will go over these in class, so you may want to jot down some notes to yourself after you’ve read the paper.
What does the author do well in this ethnography?
How well-developed is the observation section? Do you feel like you get a good sense of the community from this paper?
How well developed is the scholarly research section and topic?
If this author were to revise this paper further, what recommendations would you make for revision?
REMINDER: this is formatted for the web; your paper will look different.
It is a cool Saturday afternoon, as I pull into Dunleavy’s Irish Pub. The building, off-white, with green trim has been a part of my entire life. As I pull around the back to park, the deck is filled with regulars who are catching a smoke and a drink. Most cheerfully chatting about their day or their plans for the evening. Generally speaking all appear to be in a very good mood. I notice that while some people sit and chat at the picnic tables, others are standing just sort of watching what is going on around them. Many are people who have watched me grow up, so I stop to shake their hands and say hello. A couple of new customers seem to be having a good time as they hold hands and appear to be in deep discussion.
Entering the bar from the deck, I pass the restrooms down a short hall to the main floor. The wall on the right is host to pictures of family, friends/regulars, people whom have passed, and memories of our life in the bar business. On the left is a small area for darts, pinball and a golf game. It is sort of like a small game area where patrons can have some fun too. Today, this area is empty, with the exception of person buying pull-tabs, I assume planning to win the big prize. Pull-tabs are a Michigan lottery game where you can buy what is like a scratch off but it is tabs that you pull. In this if you get the right display of signs than it will tell you if or how much money you have won. As I head into the main restaurant area, I see tables and the long bar to the right, which is filled with the usual Saturday afternoon regulars, waiting for the next college football game to begin. People are laughing and chatting away. There is the usual banter about who will win which game. One of our regulars stands at the end of the bar; drink in hand and Michigan State Shirt on. He is a funny guy as he changes shirts for every game throughout the day, but is a dedicated State fan. New comers chuckle as they notice his quick T-shirt changes. I think to myself he must have over 150-college football t-shirts.
The bar seat s150 people at capacity, offering both high and low top tables with large screen TV’s in each corner. On this Saturday, there are only two tables filled, but there are about 15 people bellied up to the bar. As I go to the behind the bar for my shift and to begin preparations, I notice all of the Irish decorations that sit on the shelves and on the walls. Often I take these for granted, but as I observe on this day, I am struck by the history of it all. A large picture of my grandfather, down by the card table, as if he is watching over all of those who have and will play. Family crests for all of those who have known our family for years. A leprechaun from my grandfather’s old bar, and several items from the old Tipperary Pub on Southfield (a good friend of the family). There are new things too, funny jokes, gifts from the liquor companies, and antiques that my Uncle Tom as collected over his 40+ years in the bar business. The bar is old, and could use some freshening up. The carpet and flooring should probably be replaced.
Most people, in this community, who come to the bar are looking to see friend, relax with cool drink after a long day at the office or wherever they may work. Although working at the bar is my job, I do my best to create an atmosphere where both family and friends feel comfortable and can enjoy a nice evening. I enjoy this part of my job and believe this is what we all share in common. In contrast, while they are there to relax and have fun, I am here to work. Generally that means serving the customers quickly with a smile and listening to them complain about their day. The main goal is to make sure that everyone has a good time and wants to come back to Dunleavy’s again and again.
“How “long have you been coming to Dunleavy’s?” I asked.
“22 years” he answered.
“Why did you begin to come to Dunleavy’s Irish Pub?” I asked.
“Because it is a family owned bar, I also grew up with the Dunleavy’s. Additionally, my wife Brenda, loves the burgers.” he answered.
“How do you like it here?” i asked.
“Love it! Always have a good time. I get to see and meet new people and I love to people watch. I enjoy spending time with my friends and always have a good time.’ he answered.
“What keeps you coming back to Dunleavy’s?” I asked.
“The proximity. It is close to home, neighborhood bar with good friends and good-looking skirts.” he answered.
“Make sure to put that in your paper” he said.
“Hahaha don’t worry I will” I said.
“I also like the conversations even though we sometimes have differences of opinions.” He finished his answer.
“Is there anything that you would like to change about the bar?” I asked after a long pause.
“Let me get back to you.” he said.
“Maybe if we could smoke inside again!” he answered.
“Sadly, we did not make the law, but unfortunately we have to follow the law. I wish you could smoke inside too.” I replied.
A little over a year ago Michigan passed a law that states you could no longer smoke inside a bar and or restraint. With some expectations, of the already cigar bars in Michigan and the Michigan casinos. “Smoking bans have a larger detrimental impact on bars in geographic areas with a high prevalence of smokers” (Adams). Before the smoking ban the bar was mush busier, but with smoking the bar was cloudy with smoke and had a strong smell of smoke. As stated by Jacob P. Sciacca, “many people are concerned with second-hand smoke and don’t want to be bothered with it while eating” (140).
Borrelli, smoking cessation study indicates that 32.5% of the adult population smokes. Typically smoking increases when people are drinking and at the bar. According to other studies, less than 4,000 people die annually from second hand smoke. Like others, I agree that smoking as a legal substance, should be allowed if the owner of an establishment chooses to provide an atmosphere where smoking is allowed. I believe that people should have the freedom to choose where they work and the atmosphere they work in; therefore, I acknowledge that this information should be given to a potential employee or customer before they enter a bar, but I do not believe the government should mandate (Borrelli).
I asked Tim “What is your favorite thing about this bar?”
“It is the camaraderie. I am one of the few MSU fans and the food is DARN good.” He replied with no hesitation.
“Make sure you use DARN” he stated.
“Don’t worry Tim I will make sure that I use DARN” I replied.
As I observe the goings on around the bar, I notice a couple that appear to be having a disagreement or maybe they are just in deep conversation. Her facial expression appears aggravated, while he rolls his eyes. She speaks with her hands, although she does not touch his hand or arm while he does so she is trying to make some sort of point while talking to him and use her hands to help make that point. At the other end of the bar a group of 6 men sit watching the Michigan vs. Michigan State Game. One patron threatens to throw a bottle through the TV if State screws up the game. I laugh, as I know he will not, but suggest that we could use a new TV so feel free. The guys are munching on snacks that have been brought in by various people. It is something they do on Saturdays, while they drink their beers. The tease each other all of the time. These groups of guys are old friends and they share stories from when they were young to last week. They hold back nothing in their efforts to have fun. I notice for the first time, that they do always look at each other when they speak. You can see that they truly are the best of friends, well at least while they are at the bar. I say this because it is not as if they hang out all of the time. This is their bar group, their personal time from family to just sit and be guys. Some of the things they say may seem off-color to many, I just laugh, as I know they are joking. They like to give me a hard way to go, yelling for their drink, or telling me it is my turn to by a round. I don’t mind all that is happening around me this is all part of the bar community. The number of conversations occurring around the room, the differences in the conversations, and the disagreements. The bar is always loud, but grows louder as people have more to drink, and most certainly when one of the football teams score. There is swearing, a lot of it, but the group minds their manners when a lady walks by. They also stare when a very pretty lady walks by, and share a knowing look.
People dress different depending on the time of the day. For example, the lunch crowd consists often of Ford workers in their uniforms, or Polo’s and jeans. Businessmen and women arrive in suits to catch a quick bite before heading back to the office. I always wear shorts and a nice shirt. I need to be cool as I am moving around quickly, and I need to be comfortable at the same time. Some of these same people will return of an evening dressed with their hair done up for a date, or in jeans and a t-shirt, ready to hang out and relax. Short skirts make their way into the bar too as the young crowd looks to meet new friends.
People are also coming in with their families for dinner. Like one family I notice this evening, where the son was wearing his football uniform and the parents have on warm cloths, as if they had been watching the kids game. My observation was that this is a nice family, who has enjoyed their son’s football practice or game and is now looking to warm up and discuss the day’s events. They smile while they talk, and I see the mom touch her son’s head. I think it must have been a good day for this family.
While in this community there are many different types of people and all different times. In this community the communication ends up being an all day thing. They tend to talk about anything form what is going on in life, work, and gossip. In this community it is a place where most all the people know each other. But while sitting around watching you see all of these people who are friends and are sitting around after work just having a drink where they are talking about how work went and what is new in life. But you will also hear them talking about what is new at the bar, like for example the bar is now doing homemade hand cut fries. With so many regulars, everyone happens to have their own opinion on what should be done, who should be doing it, and what they would do if it was their bar. I think of these conversations as the “you should” conversations. Listening respectfully, I make mental notes of things that I think my dad should be aware of. That is the other type of conversation that occurs at the bar, me, my dad, and my Uncle Tom, discussing the day’s events, what we made, what needs to be done, who should be doing what, who has a tab? Part of my job is making sure they are aware of not only what the customers communicate, but what we hear from the staff as they also have many opinions.
In this community the whole personal space is not something that really matters. For example, on Saturday night there was a regular and there was a person who was there for the first time. The regular, in a friendly manner, gets a bit close to the new person who looks to feel uncomfortable. Our regular has been here since 2:00 and does not realize that he is invading personal space. At first it appeared that the new comer might get mad but the regular seems to feel his uneasiness and backs away a bit. They chat for a while and by the end of the evening are actually laughing out loud at each other. In the bar business, new friendships are formed just like this everyday. People at the bar, especially after a few drinks become loud and often talk with their hands. Their expressions become more evident as the evening progresses as it is harder to hide behind what may appear normal during the day with a few drinks having replaced their regular expressions.
It is important that I always observe body language; this is a key part of my job. I notice a person getting up to catch a smoke or go to the bathroom; she seems a little wobbly and hugs everyone as she walks by. I talk to the waitress so she too can keep an eye on this person, and we slow down the drink orders a bit. Similarly, I have a man at the end of the bar who has progressively gotten louder and more rowdy. He is annoying some of the customers, as his words slur and he begins to say inappropriate things. This is the type of communication that comes with the bar business but is not my favorite. I have to cut the man off, which ultimately angers him a great deal. Now he is yelling and calling me names, I begin to come around from behind the bar, as we need to walk him out. His body language indicates to me and some of “the group” at the end of the bar that he is going to be difficult. I notice, our friends (the regulars), beginning to take notice and standing a bit. I explain to the gentleman that he will need to leave and that we will not be serving him anymore. With this new information, he pushes towards me, and just as fast, two of the regulars grab his arms and throw him out the door like a bad egg. They come back in the door, and the conversation changes to badass talk. They tease me a bit, as they are older and bigger than I am, I assure them I could have handled the problem that was going on but it was smarter for me to let them handle it. Shortly thereafter, the door springs open, and back walks in the troublemaker with a bat in hand. Nothing like this has ever happened at our bar before, sure we have had a couple of fights (people can be idiots when they drink), but no one has ever threaded the bar or me. Initially, there feels like the room is in a bit of shock, but just as quickly a three of four guys jump to their feet and take him back outside before he has time to swing. They get the bat away from him and a fight does occur outside of the bar. That is an important note, as we are not liable for what occurs outside in the shared parking lots with the Ram’s Horn and Voran Funeral homes.
(note: this was assigned in MLA format, not APA, so there will be some difference here)
Adams, Scott, and Chad D. Cotti. “The Effect of Smoking Bans on Bars and Restaurants: An Analysis of Changes in Employment.” The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy 7.1 (2007). web.
Borrelli, Belinda.” Smoking cessation: Next steps for special populations research and innovative treatments.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78.1 (2010) 1-12. web.
Sciacca, John P. “A Mandatory Smoking Ban in Restaurants: Concerns versus Experiences.” Journal of Community Health 21.2 (1996): 133- 50. web.