Jasmine's Performance

Erving Goffman once wrote, “all cynical performers are interested in deluding their audiences for purposes of what is called “self-interest” or private gain” (Goffman 18). Everyone is a performer, and the roles we play are subjected to our setting and those around us. The projection of ones personality is based on the role that is played. The front region, the side of ourselves that we display to the world aids us in masking our back region, our secret self; we do this by highlighting, exaggerating, or misrepresentation with other people. Studying Jamsine, my suitemate, in her work environment compared to the role she plays at home I found difference in her personality. Jasmine holds a position as a Resident Safety Officer (RSR). Jasmine played a different role highlighting her positive characteristics in order to deal with others at her job.

As human beings we are a combination of how we view ourselves and how others view us. Human beings find their identity through social interaction with others. (Schellenberg 21). In life we play different roles. We compartmentalize ourselves into different identities influenced by those around us. In order to compare Jasmine in her work role, I studied her in the home role.

At eight in the morning to twelve o’clock, Jasmine works in the RSR booth in North Netherlands. She is wearing black sweat pants, tennis shoes, and the white long-sleeve shirt that RSR’s wear as uniform. Her hair is combed and her face is clean of makeup. The setting in which Jasmine works in is a very small booth. The environment is clean and there is no notable scent.

Jasmine has a gregarious personality. With others she is found to always have a smile on her face, and very talkative. In her room she can be heard yell...

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...e it is my chosen career path,” she said, “it just pays for now, until I get another job.” Jasmine’s lack of commitment to her job is also because she does not like the role she plays when going to work. She finds the job repetitive. Fortunately, working as an RSR, Jasmine, realized that she could never be someone who works at a desk, “Working there made me realize my nightmare- working in a cubicle.” Working in this role enlightened Jasmine on one aspect of her self.

Jasmine did not experience a lot of stress in her job because of her knowledge put upon her and her lack of motivation. Overall Jasmine was notably different in the booth than she was at home. At home, Jasmine is talkative and loud. At work, she showed tact and was quiet. The project forced me to see Jasmine in a different light, a more professional character than the relaxed on I see in the dorm.