Observation #1

For this observation, I went to a local Target in Orem, Utah. I sat at the front of the store and observed people as they purchased their items. The most interesting to me was watching the people interact with the cashier as they purchased their items. Concerning proxemics, many of the defined zones were accurate upon observation. Couples that were at the store together tended to stand very close in line, often embracing as they waited to check out. While some people interacted with those standing in line with them, and there was a greater distance between those people.

Although we haven’t yet talked much about facial expressions, this was a very prominent form of communication. It was interesting to see the different facial expressions of the people working as cashiers, as well as the people who were standing in very long lines or in line behind someone who had several items in their cart. The facial expressions of the people in line got more and more frustrated, meaning they were scowling or rolling their eyes, with each minute that passed. Many of the cashiers had a happy demeanor, meaning they were smiling and trying to put on a happy face for those that were shopping, while others it was easy to read that they didn’t want to be there, meaning they were scowling or were very straight faced with the customers.