Clifford Geertz once made a remark:
According to Park (2008), cultural analysis is inherently incomplete and becomes even less complete as it delves deeper. Reflecting on my observations at a busy 5-way traffic circle near my residence, I spent about 25 minutes observing various people engaged in different activities, primarily driving. This prompted me to contemplate the cultures they may belong to, sparking thoughts about culture itself. Cultural understanding encompasses learned and transmitted ideas and behaviors, as well as non-genetic means of adaptation. Anthropology, being the holistic and scientific study of humankind, recognizes the crucial role of culture (Park, 2008).
When examining the entirety of humanity, it is essential to examine and comprehend their respective cultures. Within a mere 25 minutes, I observed a diverse array of individuals from a designated vantage point. This location afforded me the opportunity to witness the interactions between English and American citizens as they carried out their daily activities, particularly while driving which can pose risks. I positioned myself near a gas station situated on a street corner, enabling me to observe drivers entering and exiting the roundabout, as well as customers refueling their vehicles. The time was a scorching Friday afternoon at approximately 1300 hours, enveloped by the intense odor of burning rubber and gasoline. Having traversed this roundabout numerous times in the past and intending to do so throughout my stay in this nation, I became acutely aware of how deafeningly loud it can become due to its proximity to traffic.
Despite feeling uncertain and unfamiliar, I understood the task at hand. However, I had no idea what to expect. Initially, sitting by the roadside with my notebook and pen made me feel foolish. But once I started taking notes, my attention shifted to the individuals I was observing. Despite difficult conditions like heat, odor, noise, and potential danger, it proved to be a valuable experience. Surpassing my expectations, I quickly identified behavioral patterns and my analyses were accurate. If there’s one thing I could change about this experience, it would be selecting a safer location to sit.
Works Cited: Park M.A. (2008). Introducing anthropology: An integrated approach, with PowerWeb , 4th Edition . New York: McGraw-Hill . ISBN 978–0-07-340525-4
