Being Interviewed An Office Staff And A Student

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Having interviewed an office staff and a student, I was informed how they have thought and handled some particular problem once dining at a restaurant. My main purpose is to elicit diners’ attitudes toward dining habits and understanding of their experiences. The interview gave me an opportunity to talk with them individually so as to discuss my research topic more fully. To have a successful interview, I presented myself as a nonjudgmental, polite, and empathetic listener. I used my cellphone as a recording device; and I had to make sure that the battery was fully charged before the interviews. As per interview with each person, I explained the purpose of the interview, told them about the interview project, and informed them how important it would be. I acknowledged from Warren and Karner (2015)’s reading that the interviewees should be seated comfortably across the interviewer so the explanation “can be kept as straightforward as possible” (p. 141). The first interview was made with an office staff– a young American born Vietnamese lady – who is a colleague of mine. She sees herself a middle class person. I asked her if she could please give me a few minutes after work so I could swing by her office to interview her about her dining habit. She would love to help. We met up at 5PM in her office so that we could feel more comfortable, privacy and free from distraction. Since we know each other pretty well, I sat close enough to her so she could see notes that I had, which didn’t make myself seem deceptive. The interview took about ten minutes. Once it’s done, I offered her a drink at Starbucks that was located opposite the office. The second interview was done with a random student. I was eating my lunch in the cafeteria at Mis... ... middle of paper ... ...nges and how a person’s life changes (Garner and Hancock 2014). In spite of doing a great deal to deny or mask class differences, the role of class is discussed in our society more than in many other countries. And so, we are shaped by the origin of our class deeply no matter where we are and what we do. While listening to my recording interviews and writing transcripts, I realized that I should have asked both of them one more question before ending our conversation: Is there anything I may have forgotten to ask about that you see as important to understanding your experience? What advice would you give to someone? By asking this question and getting answers from them, I will expand my knowledge of different social classes having their own way to entertain themselves and eating with their own styles, which later perform a sign of what social groups they belong to.

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