Sandell Ethnography Sample.pdf

Sandell 1Kallie SandellMrs. CaryEthnography13 March 2006Observe the Words about Today’s NerdsAn Ethnography of the Breakfast ClubPrefaceThe confusing social mechanics of a high school environment rely solely on the label thatfits a person best. Each extreme group is pretty identifiable. I don’t fit the general categories ofjock, prep, or nerd. I’m also not an FFA enthusiast, or an emotionally unstable, black cloakwearing kind of person either. If anything, I see myself as neutral. I have good grades, and I’minvolved in a few school activities, but that’s not what I’m known for. My closest group offriends is the same way; we are a social bunch who could get along with almost anyone.The group of friends at Buffalo High School that almost anyone could categorize in asecond is the nerds. The nerds have this tradition called the Breakfast Club where they gettogether every Friday morning and eating breakfast at Perkins before school. These aren’t themagic card playing, anime obsessive nerds; these are the nerds that will become future Broadwaystars, professional musicians, or win the Nobel peace prize. They embrace their nerd-ness andflaunt their trade mark fashion choices of vintage thrift shop suits, knowledge bowl sweatshirts,and black fedoras.

Sandell 2To me, this group was like a cult. I figured they didn’t accept anyone who wasn’t intheatre, music, or knowledge bowl. My impression was they were arrogant because they werethe smartest people in the school. Naturally, I was intimidated when I attended the BreakfastClub with all of them, being the minority.ResearchIn the past, being a so called nerd, or geek was the lowest on the social scale ofpopularity. Today’s views have changed dramatically. The media portrays nerds as the new“cool” making the negative image a thing of the past. Popular stores like Best Buy use the titleto their advantage. They have their own Geek Squad which is very identifiable, and goodadvertisement. The Geek Squad members are the computer savvy employees who fixelectronics, and drive matching Volkswagen beetles while wearing uniforms with the GeekSquad logo on it. The label geek is right on their car, and on their uniforms; now, it seems to bemore of a medal of honor rather than an embarrassing title. The retail industry is also aware ofthe new meanings. T-shirts that say “I love nerds,” is seen on today’s youth, and the vintagethree piece suits with fedoras are being mass produced at department stores. Being a nerd madethe transition from pocket protectors, taped glasses, and alien obsessions to a person who isrefined, cultured, and intelligent.

Sandell 3Observational DataIt’s 6:00 on a Friday morning. I pull into the Perkins parking lot, surprised that manyspots were taken. I yawn, and turn my car off. I was nervous. I didn’t know exactly what toexpect, I figured the Breakfast Club members would talk in their own language of music terms,quoting plays, and comparing ACT scores. I tried to forget about being intimidated, andproceeded through the restaurant doors. I walked in, and a gust of warm air pleasantly surprisedme. There was elevator music playing and a friendly face greeted me.“They’re over there,” the waitress said, assuming that I was part of the group. As Iapproached the long row of four contiguous tables occupied by the people who I rarely talk to, Icouldn’t help but feel extremely out of place. It was clear to me what they all had in common;they were either in band, theatre, or they were extremely intelligent. I thought this was anunwritten rule, and whoever wanted to be a part of Breakfast Club, or in their clique, needed tobe at least one of the three because they are a group set in their ways, and there is a slim chancethey would accept anyone outside of their clique“I joined this group when I was an outsider of the group; I guess breakfast club includeseveryone we think is cool. If you are in music or drama you’re a guaranteed in, as long as you’renot annoying,” said Eli Krumholz, a small framed junior, with reddish blonde hair, and braces.Eli is a member of the school’s yearbook staff, the school’s band, marching band, the giftededucation program, and an elite math program.Eleven boys and four girls were already seated, talking, and sipping ice water. I sat in abooth parallel to the table, and no one gave notice to my presence. There was a buzz ofnumerous conversations going on throughout the whole table about how hash browns are eitherover cooked or under cooked, the many uses of scotch tape, and how taste is in our imagination.

Sandell 4I had never spent time with the members of Breakfast Club before, they intrigued me. Ihad always wondered how they acted around one another; in school they were pretty reserved.One by one, others would show up, be welcomed, and take their seat. Mary Ann, a petitewoman with short curly hair, was traditionally the Breakfast Club’s waitress and started to takedrink and food orders. The atmosphere was relaxed and very social. Most of the juniors andseniors sat on the left side, other than that, seating was pretty random. Humming and hissingsounds were coming from Eli, and other Breakfast Club members. It was quite loud and it didn’tseem to faze any of the other people eating at the tables near them. I assumed if they wereregulars like the Breakfast Club members are, they would be used to loud, obnoxious noises.Two boys with old fashioned blazers got up from their seats and walked to the other end of thetable to socialize with others. Conversations became louder, and laughter became louder. Theirextrovert side was emerging; they weren’t reserved at all.Mary Ann and a young blonde waitress brought out everyone’s food. Conversationswere quieter, and the sound of forks and knives hitting plates became louder than the voices. Afew of them took out homework and attempted to eat and write at the same time; I figured theywould have had their homework, and extra credit done by 7:00 last night.“Boo!” The whole table erupted. A stocky boy with a dark blue sweatshirt spilled ice outof his glass and clumsily tried to clean it up. It was forgotten, and conversations resumed.Whoever finished eating got up to go talk to other people and conversations became louder as themeal was nearing an end.“You could have given your pancakes to Eli,” said Maria Squadroni, a pale, and very tallgirl with long brown hair who is a Breakfast Club regular, and a member of the school’s band,

Sandell 5jazz band, student council, the national honor society, and a participant in the classical musiclistening contest. My eavesdropping tuned in to this single conversation.“Eli, get your own damn food,” responded Justin Leeper, another senior Breakfast Clubregular who sported a go-tee and a newsboy outfit.“He doesn’t have any money,” said a voice from the end of the table.“Yeah… cuz… I put all my money into driving people around…and buying drugs,” Elisaid in a joking way.“Well you better put some money into the Breakfast Club,” replied a faraway voice.I smiled even though I wasn’t apart of their conversation. I felt ridiculous because Iwasn’t even sitting at the same table with them, but I was laughing with them. I found itinteresting how we didn’t share many of the same trait qualities, or interests, but we shared someof the same humor.It was about 7:00 AM; mostly everyone was done, or almost done eating. A group ofthree went up to pay, then another group of three or four would go up to pay then sat back downto socialize more. The Zelda theme song was being whistled by half of the table; a conversationabout combinations within one melody was a popular one that many engaged in while Mary Anntook away empty plates. Everyone seemed to be antsy, and some went to go to the bathroom ingroups, holding toothbrushes.“There used to be this tradition that you’d get your toothbrush, and brush your teeth withyour pants down. Barry and Jack started that. Now Justin and Mike only do it once in awhile, itkind of died off,” said Eli.I thought it was funny that they had such an odd tradition. I realized how certaintraditions or rituals can leave with the people who brought them.

Sandell 6Everyone started to put on their coats, and many put a dollar bill, or change in the middleof the table. They all shuffled out of Perkins and out into the parking lot, ready to go to school.Another week passed by. It was Friday morning and I was in Perkins at 6:00 a.m. again.I found myself less nervous this time. The usual row of tables was already set up with menusand ice water ready. Justin Leeper was on the left end of the table just like last time. He wassitting across from Mike Lenczewski, a skinny blonde senior, and a member of knowledge bowl,the school’s band, and jazz band. He has attended Breakfast Club longer than anyone else there.I sat in the same booth parallel to the large row of tables, and like last time, I was invisible.Just like last time, one by one the other people would show up. This time there weredifferent people that came that weren’t there the previous Friday. The large table couldn’t fitanymore, and a smaller table was made just to the side of it seating four new people, and Eli.A different, crabby waitress came out. She was older, and had blondish grayish hair. Itwas the same routine, she got the drink and food orders from everyone, but wasn’t as friendly asMary Ann and no one seemed to care. The conversations were louder than last week, andeveryone seemed more awake. Mike started to play with a Rubik’s cube; I had to laugh a little;that would have been proof to an outsider’s stereotypes that the “nerds” find fun in things thatexpand the mind. They seemed to be quite comfortable in their nerd culture because it was whothey were, and it was their image. When Mike gave up; he passed it to a boy named Derek whowas rumored to be able to do it in three minutes. Everyone was more talkative; many peoplewere switching seats, getting up, and talking to other people. Watching the Breakfast Clubinteract reminded me of the way my friends and I act. The Breakfast Club and my group offriends are both talkative. We both like to chat about whatever is on our minds at the moment,and we both get loud when we’re together.

Sandell 7A group of 10 th graders walked into Perkins and passed the Breakfast Club’s tables intothe private section of the restaurant. The boys of the group were wearing black hockey jackets,and the girls were wearing name brand jeans, and tight shirts.“Imposters,” Mike said in a bitter tone. The original Breakfast Club was made by formerhigh school students. They were Mike’s brother, Nick Lenczewski, and his friends Seth Olson,Dan Zachman, and Tom Jaszczak“I’ve gone to breakfast club for about four years. I went in middle school, but I was justforced to go because I needed a ride from my brother. It all started at McDonalds for the firstday, the second day it was at West Mill Grill, and the third day it was at Perkins,” said Mike.When I saw the 10 th graders walk by, I noticed how they contrasted the “original” diehardsof Breakfast Club, and I wondered if that played a part in Mike’s comment, and less thanfriendly tone. I also wondered if the Breakfast Club people stereotyped other people outside oftheir group of friends, or even stereotyped themselves.“I think of my group of friends as the theatre kids, but a lot of them aren’t really theatrekids, they’re defiantly the nerdier type of our school,” said Maria.As people started to finish up their meals, everyone was up and moving around to talk toother people. I saw more new faces that I didn’t see before, and I noticed every grade, ninethrough twelve, was a part of Breakfast Club. I assumed that it was mostly just for juniors andseniors in that clique, and when the juniors and seniors graduated it would probably just end“I’ve been bringing freshman with to carry on the tradition. Someone brought me tobreakfast club, and I want to carry the tradition and bring other kids,” said Eli.From year to year, Breakfast Club has seen many changes as far as new rookies, and oldregulars graduating; a ticket in to Breakfast Club is an invitation from someone who already

Sandell 8goes. With such a change of people, I wondered if one year of Breakfast Club had been betterthan another year.“Last year’s breakfast club was pretty good, this year there’s a lot of random people. Iguess other people are more accepting, I’m like: What are they trying to pull here? But if theycame to breakfast club for a few weeks, I wouldn’t care,” said Mike.Random or not, the popularity of Breakfast Club is evident, and people keep comingback.“Last year everyone thought breakfast club would die because everyone who went lastyear was a senior, but it didn’t die. There’s actually more because the people who wereintimidated by the seniors came this year,” said Maria.The word is spreading about Breakfast Club, and new faces are not uncommon. ZachTriplett is a junior, and rookie who has attended Breakfast Club only two times. Even as thenewest member, Breakfast Club will be a new part of his Friday mornings.“I think I’ll make it every Friday from now on, I like it a lot. I get along with everyonepretty well. I like to see friends and to have a good breakfast for once,” said Zach.It’s about 7:10 AM, and like last time, everyone was getting their coats on, throwing a tipin the middle of the table, continuing their loud conversations, and laughing even louder. Iwatched them get ready to leave. I knew next Friday they would be at Perkins again continuingtheir Breakfast Club saga.“Through thick and thin, even when school is canceled, we still come,” said Eli, “itstradition.”

Sandell 9ConclusionWhen I first walked into Perkins and sat with the Breakfast Club, I thought I would besitting with people I had little in common with; rather than finding differences, I noticedsimilarities. I found we shared the same humor and I started to fully see their personalities. Icouldn’t help but feel almost irritated because they didn’t know that I wanted to laugh manytimes when they did, and they never saw my true personality. I saw that I was wrong about thestereotypes I had when I thought they weren’t accepting. Freshmen attend Breakfast Club, andthe older members drive out of their way to pick them up. They enjoy meeting new people, andbringing people to their group.In a way I became a little jealous of them; it was obvious that they all had a strongfriendship, and made sure they all got together at least one time out of the week to keep theirritual alive. The Breakfast Club will still keep going on strong; not because of tradition alone,but because of the people who keep the tradition aliveI thought that I was an open minded person when I first walked in; I found that I hadunconsciously stereotyped the Breakfast Club from the very first day. I was partly right abouttheir conversations; they did talk about music, not because it was their trademark, or reason whythey were accepted, but because many of them shared that common interest.Before I did interviews, I felt too much like a researcher. I was watching everything theydid and writing it down in my notebook. When I got the chance to interview the members, theywere comfortable around me, and we had carried on conversations beyond the questions alone. Ieased up a little, too. Talking to the members made me feel less like an outcast, and made mefeel a little better about being out of my comfort zone.

Sandell 10Through this experience I found they are quiet similar to every other group of friends;there’s always a certain person who wants to fit in, and seems to be the odd man out, there’s theone that could say anything and it’d be funny, there’s the quieter one who shows their realpersonality around friends, and then there are the so called leaders, or regulars in this case. Theyare defiantly unique, but aren’t totally original. The nerd clique still follows the category trendthat any other group follows. They share a similar hobby that ties them together, and they sharea certain style that makes them identifiable. They can be compared to a group of preps or jockswho play lacrosse and wear American Eagle and Abercrombie. However, there was an elementthat stuck out to me the Breakfast Club had, and many other groups don’t have. They are thegroup of friends that will keep in contact with each other even after they graduate. They make ita priority to keep their ritual of Breakfast Club alive, even when school is canceled. They havesuch a large group of friends, and they make time to see everyone, even if it’s just for an hour.They seem so much older than high school students because they are mature in the sense theyknow that spending time with friends is truly valuable. They are an accepting group, the onlyqualification to be in their clique is to have a good personality; being in band or theatre is just aplus, and makes for good conversation.Being a fellow student, I saw the way the Breakfast Club members really were outside ofschool. I realized that everyone has their comfort zone, and when a person is comfortable, that iswhen their real personality shows. The experience I had at Perkins with Breakfast Club wasalmost like the movie Breakfast Club. I was with this group of people that I barely knew, and Ihad to spend time with them. At the end of the whole experience, I saw that putting a title onpeople only separates us more, and everyone is the same in more ways than they are different.