There is no doubt that I participate in impression management quite often. Working as a server in a family restaurant, I partake in this process every day that I work. Building on what Newman said, the whole restaurant can be seen as a dramaturgy in which customers are the "audience", hosts and servers are the "actors", managers are the "stage directors", and cooks and dishwashers make up the behind-the-scenes "stage crew". We all work together as a performance team, and depend on each other to achieve a positive collective impression. My job, as a server, relies solely on my control of how I present myself to others, and therefore my ability to impression manage. Just like actors or actresses in theater, I must prepare before every "production". Freshly showered, hair tied back, make-up done, jewelry on, and in clean uniform I make my way to the stage (having controlled my physical appearance and consequently very first impressions). No matter what is going on in my life, the minute I go from back stage to front stage, I must also be presenting a friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help self to the "audience". If I fail to achieve this in any way, and my "audience" is not impressed, it can negatively affect me as "an actress" or even hurt the entire "production". Poor performances can result in low or no tips, complaints to managers, or even negative feelings toward the entire restaurant. Success at my job does not consist of only impression management, however; it also relies on my ability to use the process of impression formation on customers, and then proceed to impression manage based on what I perceive. Both of these actions happen simultaneously throughout my workday, and are reevaluated often as situations can change instantly.
This video has some excessive profanities in it, but (with some dramatization) it perfectly demonstrates the idea of constant impression management between front stage and back stage, impression formation based solely on physical appearance, and the complex interactions of a performance team. Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/7SyJ-ZCW3FI
HAHA great clip. I've been wanting to see this movie for a while...now I definitely need to see it.
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, great job identifying the dramaturgical element of the server/waiter persona. It must be taxing to have to "put on a show" like that for 4, 6, 8, 10 hours at a time. Can you imagine a professional actor forced to perform for that long? Just thinking about how stressful that can be reveals the value of the "back room".
I saw a bit of this working at Champlin Park High School this year. I don't have to be as "on" as the teachers do in front of their classes, but their reactions when going from the classes/hallways to the back office areas was always very revealing. This is their "back stage". This is where they get to be themselves and speak frankly about how their "performances" are going.