Reflection on Stretch #3

An observation of Walmart on a busy night is challenging.  Sometimes people would talk to me as they passed by, while others clutched their merchandise so tightly I could not see what they were buying.  The greatest challenge, however, was ignoring the loud child.

My first obstacle came in the way of customer interference.  The Walmart in this small town is a hot spot because for many this is a grocery store, a clothing store, an art store, a home store, and a pet store.  As such, I often see someone I have taught, worked with, volunteered with, or with whom my daugheters go to school.  My active life has allowed very few degrees of separation.  However, many times people in this small town are just friendly or observant.  A few asked if I was waiting for someone, as if they could help me find said person, while others commented on the warm streak of weather, or the smell wafting from the Subway behind me.  Still, others wanted to cut up and laugh, and I am always up for a friendly exchange or laugh.

Another challenge was determining what people were buying.  Many people were clutching their purchases so tightly so quickly I had little time to see what they were or even write it down.  This speaks to the hustle and bustle that happens in express lines; people expect and feel they need to get through quickly.

My greatest challenge was ignoring the demanding toddler; I found it difficult to NOT know what he was saying, or to try to figure out what motivated him or what he was running toward when he trotted away from Grandma each time.  Their relationship was fascinating not just because of the mystery behind his rant, but also because Grandma seemed cool and collected.  I was afraid I would miss her sudden burst of frustration or even action.  Watching the tiny terror meant I missed recording a few key purchases.

The takeway in observing but not participating is that sometimes you get sucked in.  Sometimes, the harder you try to be that fly on the wall, someone still sucks you back in.   And other times, you get sucked in by a phenomenon you did not expect.  Having a plan is great, but learning to adjust to the unexpected is a more realistic skill for any qualitative researcher.