While preparing for this assignment, I was having some difficulty deciding what object I should read. I wanted to find something with a distinguished culture; something that really says something about how we live today. Then I finally thought of it: airports! This summer I made the decision to quit my job early and go on a couple vacations instead. Because I was travelling alone, I ended up in the airport quite a bit and began to notice some patterns in the airport culture.
People struggling with carry-ons that are obviously way too big to conveniently fit anywhere; the huge, stressed family that seems to always be in the way; the people attached to their cellphones, impatiently trying to find an unused electrical outlet to plug in more electronics; and the lines. Everywhere you go in the airport there seems to be a line of people, each feeling longer than the last, each leading to the next step and the next line. Even if it is a beautiful day, when one goes into an airport they are instantly overcome with gray, overcast lighting and a not-very-good smell. These are all signs of the crushing airport culture.
Everyone seems to do the same routine, the same conventions. We all know what to do at the security checkpoint, we know to find the gate before going to explore the rest of the airport, we know to stand in strategic positions in the baggage claim area, and have tactical methods of finding our own luggage. Most people have done this procedure their entire life, and don’t think much of it. It is interesting to me how we have become subjects in this culture without knowing it. We reinforce the culture and norms that shaped our behaviors.
It makes me wonder how I would react if I had never been in, seen, or heard of an airport and saw all of us “sheep”.
I thought this was an interesting subculture to think about. Going along with what Wendy mentioned about how we are subjects in the airport—I also find it fascinating to watch the people that are obviously “newbies” to the flying experience or at least post-9/11 with the new security measures and do not fit into the flow of the bustling airport. For example, there is almost a regulation of dress code when you are traveling. It is typically more comfortable clothing and walking shoes vs. dresses and high-heeled shoes. I believe when people are wearing these dressier clothes it identifies them as infrequent flyers. I have definitely adapted my personal packing habits and clothing choices to breeze through a hectic airport. This is a great culture to analyze!!
ReplyDeleteI also find this an interesting subculture to discuss. I can still vividly remember my first international travel myself. As a "newbie" I have no idea where I should go after saying goodbye to my parents and going into the secured customs inspection station. I just followed the person before me, which looked like a trustworthy guy with suits and a laptop bag. I did not try to have a conversation with him since I was still too nervous for my first international travel. After clearing customs I proceed to the X-ray screening area and took off my jacket, watch and etc as the person before me did. Now that I think of this experience I am reminded of the "sheep" behavior we talked in class where people tend to follow what other people are doing. Although my first international travel, which lasted 16 hours, was a disaster, I managed to make it through the next few uncomfortable journeys with sweatshirts/pants, earplugs and nice neck pillow. These "equipments" of mine were also imitations from other frequent travelers.
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