This observer of sociological behavior had the opportunity of viewing Goffman's norm of "civil inattention" first-hand over this past five-day period. I carefully kept a log of my people-watching with regard to the following: Date and time of the occurrence of a violation of the norm of civil inattention, my location, the context in which the behavior occurred, what was said/done, and my reaction/feeling.
The timing was perfect for social observation, because I was attempting to find a suitable tenant for the house I am renting. Because I am trying to get out of my lease without being taken to small claims court, and because I am an ethical person (most of the time), I told the owner of the house that I would have an open house this past week, during which time I would collect as many rental applications as possible. I would then forward the applications to the owner, and the selection of another tenant would be up to him. I could walk away from the situation--my bondage to the lease--with a clear conscience and the absence of an eventual small claims court appearance.
The first instance of a violation of the norm of civil inattention occurred when a lady burst into the house during my open hours on Monday, May 8, 1995. She had no shoes. She was disheveled. She was impolite. She defied me to recommend her to the owner. She didn't need to worry about that eventuality. Everyone else who came to the door politely knocked, but not this lady. Even though she bolted through the house like a stormtrooper, I pretended not to notice her boorish behavior. I was irritated with myself for not being impolite in retribution--but, I remained civil and cool. I just kept reminding myself that in a few hours it would all be over.
One very polite and articulate couple said that they already lived in the neighborhood. They said that they needed to move from the house they were renting because the owner was selling. At one poin...