Describe your norm violation; include what you planned to do and what actually

happened, as
well as the above information about how the norm typically acts as a mechanism of
social control.
● Describe the reactions of others to the norm. What are the usual sanctions
(formal/informal,
negative/positive) for this norm, and did you receive any sanctions in response to your
violation?
Did people react the way that you expected? Ask someone for details concerning how
they felt
about your norm violation!
● How did you feel when violating the norm? Why did you feel the way that you did?
 Sometimes thinking out loud with others bring out the best of ideas, therefore, I asked my

family to give me some ideas regarding the assignments. They came up with different, funny and

weird ideas. It was my sister’s idea to go to a coffee shop and ask the staff to do their job, like for

instance, taking people’s orders and preparing it. However, when I gave it a second thought,

most likely they will not agree since it may affect the quality of what they serve and the place’s

reputation. Therefore, we made a slight twist to the idea, and decided to ask to prepare or help in

preparing my own order. My favorite place to chill is usually Uptown Mirdif, and considering

the weather now it was perfect to go there. The plan was to go to Caribou, Starbucks and Costa

Coffee shops and Baskin Robbins; and ask to prepare my coffee and scoop my ice-cream. I

expected rejection from some therefore I kept many options

First, was my experience with Patrick and Shela. I started with Starbucks, since their staff

are usually the friendliest. I went up to the cashier, Shela, ordered a vanilla ice shaker and

requested to prepare it myself. At first, she smiled and was confused, then went up to her

colleague and asked if it’s possible. He too smiled and surprisingly agreed, he was like come up

here (*YAY*). I went inside with him and he guided me through preparing it while smiling the

whole time (he was so sweet, and the cashier lady as well). After preparing my shaker I

“confessed” that this was an experiment/ assignment, they were like ohhh and laughed. To make

it more entertaining, I was like alright now I’ll ask you a few questions (I pulled out my tiny

book and a pen to act more professional). He said: oh! I’m being interviewed… I feel like a star

now (soo cute !). I asked how was his first reaction/impression and if did anyone ask to do so

before or is this the first time for him to be in such a situation. He smiled (he was smiling the

whole time!) and was like if it were busy I wouldn’t have let you in and there was someone who

asked him before to prepare his/her order, he also requested not to post any video of me inside,
and I assured him that it is just for my assignment and if anyone would watch it it’ll just be my

professor (he was afraid that his boss will see it and be in trouble). Finally, I asked him to take a

picture.

I later found that the cute cashier lady wrote on the cup “Enjoying Myself” with a heart, I regret

now not taking a picture with her too ☹.

At first, I was so excited for the idea, but when the “action” time came it felt weird, I was

a bit nervous and worried of rejection. I then convinced myself that it would be fine since what

could be the worst scenario, they’ll just tell me sorry we can’t allow you, which was the case

with my experience at Baskin Robbins. Nevertheless, I waited till there were quite less people at
the cashier (it’s always crowded at any Starbucks!) so it will not be very awkward and not many

witnesses. Overwhelmed that I forgot to pay

After this, even though it was fun and now I know how to make my own ice shaker 😉, I

was like enough no need to go for other cafes (also I’ve already had my coffee and it was at

night, I need not want more). However, my sister was the one who came with me and she

suggested to only go to Baskin Robbins, at least it is something different, not coffee. We then

headed to the next mission. We stood outside as I was writing some notes, and my sister was like

come here behind this wall, so they don’t see you writing something and suspect the situation

😊. Later, we went in and I told the guy that I’ll have an ice-cream scope, but I’d like to put it

myself. He too smiled (like Shela), but he apologized and said: no, sorry it’s not allowed, I was

like why it’s just for fun, so he went and asked his colleague, but he too said no. So, I ordered

(‘very-berry strawberry’ ice-cream) and then told him that it was an experiment just to see

people’s reactions. He apologized once again and told me that he couldn’t because there are

cameras and his boss would not allow it. Then my sister asked if someone asked him to do so

before, and he told us the story of a young girl who was a regular customer and used to ask him

to go inside and prepare her order, at first he used to not allow her then once he let her to prepare

her milk shake and unfortunately, his boss scolded him for doing so and that’s why he could not

allow me. I then apologized and told him that it was ok, thanked him and enjoyed my very-berry

strawberry ice-cream 😊.

Overall, it was a fun experiment, and now I have new friends namely Patrick and Shela, I

also learned how to prepare my own ice shaker.