An Analysis Of A Social Experiment At Walgreens

We live in a capitalist society, and many of our everyday actions are integrated with the economic system. When we walk into any store, we are participating in the grand tradition of capitalism but, as in all social structures, there are rules. When we enter stores, we must act proper in order that the economic processes can go smoothly. For my social experiment, I plan to enter a Walgreens and subvert the capitalist process by staying in a store for an extended period of time and requesting free goods. I plan to directly ask an employee if I can have items for free, and also request outrageous discounts. I chose to conduct my experiment at Walgreens because it is a small store that has a variety of products. That way, I can wander the

Even though I was very anxious during my experiment, I found it to be freeing. I enjoyed acting inappropriately in public, and it allowed me to leave my comfort zone. That being said, I do not think I would do it again. I found that there was no benefit to my actions. Since I did not receive any free items or discounts, I accomplished nothing in my attempt to subvert the economic process. Also, I made the employees uncomfortable, and I do not wish to create awkward situations for others. I believe that my experiment was successful. I demonstrated one of many ways that I could break a folkway and cause tension in the world around me. However, if I were to do it again, I would change a few aspects of my experiment. I would have not bought any items form the store, because I looked less suspicions when I was buying items. Furthermore, I could have always spent more time in the store, acted more awkwardly, or engaged more

I believe that it is important and sometimes necessary to question and subvert the folkways we all live by; however, social norms are not inherently harmful and subjugating. The reason we do not act odd in stores is that store owners fear shoplifting. In order to preserve their stock and, by extension, their livelihood, managers must watch customers and make sure they pose no harm. Now that I have acted as the subject of that suspicion, I understand and have a greater appreciation for the