The participants:
Old white lady, grey hair, applique sweatshirt.
40 something white woman, brunette, middle class.
9 year old, African American boy, clown painted pace.
The set up: The two white ladies are at the self serve pop fountain. A 9 year old boy and his younger sibling are quietly waiting in line next to them. Old white lady presses the button for her pop and as it fills to the top, it won’t stop. The pop keeps on flowing.
Old WL:Excitedly as she keeps pressing the button,”O! It won’t stop!”
40WW: “Oh boy!,” as she presses the same button. “Uh.”
She scans the room for an employee. No employee.
Old WL:Panic voice,”What do I do?”
40WW: Keeps pressing the same button. Over and over and over. Still flowing.
9 Year Old: Quietly and meekly reaches over and presses button of another flavor.
The soda stops. The two ladies laugh.
40WW: “Honey, you just saved the day,” as she smiles down at him.
9 Year old: Smiles and says nothing.
The participants:
80ish old man wearing a sweater with a Southwestern motif. Dirty glasses. 5’2”. White.
30 something female Old Country Buffet employee. Hispanic. English is her 2nd language. Wearing navy pants, white blouse, some kind of ladies bow tie thing
The set up:Old Man as he is serving himself prunes at the buffet starts the conversation with the buffet employee as she is refilling the broccoli salad next to him.
OM:In a smug tone,”You like your job?”
BE: A non-committal and unsure nod.
OM: Again, smugly and a little more loudly, “You like your job here? Doing this.” He motions toward the buffet.
BE: Meekly she replies,”Little English”
OM: “Oh you don’t speak English!”
BE: She nods again.
OM: “Hasta la vista baby”, as he walks away with his prunes.
