I read Howard Becker’s article called “Becoming a Marihuana User,” but as I was reading the article I could not help but identify the important steps of marihuana use with ‘becoming a member of culture.’ The article articulates three main steps in ‘getting high’: 1. Doing it correctly for maximum symptoms; 2. Realize the symptoms that are occurring; 3. Enjoy these symptoms. This reminded me if this new job that I started at a restaurant and how I am trying to fit into a new culture, but there are steps that I had to take in order to fit into this structured subculture. I had to learn new things like setting a table, serving guests, and wearing a specific uniform. The first part of being in this restaurant’s social construction was making sure I was doing all of these tasks the correct way. Sometimes they would correct where to put the forks or the water glasses or what color socks I had to wear. I could do it mostly correct, but if I wanted to get paid the most money at the end of the night it was important to maximize the amount of things I was doing correctly. I realized that I didn’t have to do everything perfect the first night, but as long as I was asking other people around me, I was improving. After learning how to do everything, I had to learn how I was affecting myself, customers, and other workers when I did these things. I realized that when I wasn’t setting tables the hostess would get frustrated because they couldn’t seat a new table. When I wasn’t clearing dishes the guests would get frustrated because they had dirty dishes in front of them. When I wasn’t serving the water, bread, and butter to guests the servers would get frustrated because I wasn’t greeting their tables. With more experience, I am able to see what happens when I do not do my job correctly and become a subject in this subculture. This job is only going to be enjoyable if I am able to do my job correctly and make other people in my surrounding culture happy. If I am unable to do this, then there is no point in continuing to work here because I am not accepted and I am not happy.
I think its quite fascinating how you connected marijuana use to starting a new job. When we are in new places and trying to fit in we tend to lose ourselves in the "pull" of the society we are in or want to be a part of. Conforming to the new society's order or ways of conduct makes you functional in that society(though ironic pot uses also have their perception of functionality). Hope your new job goes well!!
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