Observation #4

SKATE PARK

For my fourth observation, I went and skated at the Cedar City Skate park.  I skateboarded in high school because I lived next to the park and I could see some similarities between how I reacted with fellow skaters and how younger skaters treat each other.  In my day, when I met up with friends at the park, it was a specific hand shake of sliding our palms together pulling towards us, then a knuckle bump.  Today's kids, anywhere from 12 to 18, simple did head nods towards one another.  When I skated, we would talk to each other, hang out, and skate a certain part of the park.  When we spoke, we would take out our headphones and talk about whatever.  These kids would only take out one ear bud, if necessary, and only listen to the main points before putting the ear bud back in.  They would hold onto the ear bud too as if waiting to put it back in.  If they didn't remove the ear bud, they would communicate with their faces of head nods pointing to where they wanted to skate next or signs of approval on a difficult trick that was landed.  Many would look around after landing a trick to find that recognition and approval for a trick that they had been working on.  The social norms were to give that sign of approval, but to also not do what's called "snaking," where a skater will cut in front of another skater to do a trick.  Usually profanity, the middle finger, or arms up with palms face up were given to show signs of disapproval.  Skaters would then avoid each other, especially if one was significantly bigger or older.