Norm Breaking Exercise

Norm Breaking Exercise

Written Response

Roxann Fiedorowicz

September 11, 2012

General Sociology Soc. 2013

My norm was something that I have always wanted to do, but never really had the courage to seize the moment. Every time my spouse and I go to Wal-Mart, it never fails, we become separated. I search up and down every aisle patiently, never to find him. I just want to stop and shriek out his name, of course, I do not.

With this assignment, I was certain to take the chance to fulfill the urge to call out his name, like a child looking for its mother. The purpose of this norm was to see if anyone at the store would be enthusiastic to help an adult as he/she would a child.

Upon entering the Wal-Mart in Jane, Missouri, I lagged behind, to give my spouse the chance to disappear. He had no idea what I was about to do. I was about fifty yards away and spotted him. I shrieked out his name, the man behind him jumped and looked around, but did not see me. My spouse stopped and turned with a shocked look and smile then continued down the aisle. As for myself, I continued down the aisle and passed him, calling out his name as loud as I could. Other customers begin to stop and look at me as if I was a hysterical old lady. Children in the toy aisle became very startled by the loud bellowing women an started backing up away from me, and some of the children began ran from the crazy woman. I turned and started back up the aisle and continued to bellow out my husbands' name. Several of the employees at the store would step out in to the aisle to see what was going on, but never did say anything, nor even offered to help. A young man that worked there was coming down the aisle facing myself, with a look of concern. He studied me for a moment, then looked around I believe to see where other my spouse might be. The young man continued down the aisle, and then approached me, while I was still bellowing for my husband. The young man placed his hand on my shoulder gently and spoken in a soft gentle voice, "Hon, he is over here on the third aisle" I greatly thanked him and made my way to my husband. The young man continued to watch me to make sure I found the right aisle. I believe that the young mans parents would have been very proud of him for helping the senile woman.

I believe that people acted the way they did because in reality adults do not go around yelling out for other people. We instill in children that it is not proper to yell for some one in public unless you are in danger. However, when an adult starts acting like a child, its not considered normal. Society expects more out of adults believing that they are more mature than children are.

While I was performing