The Embarrassing Incident

The Embarrassing Incident

classmate, friend, colleague, or family member (or stranger! meet someone new!)). You will collect a short
description of an embarrassing incident in which the informant was present, although not necessarily as the
“perpetrator.” Take notes on the form provided below, which is a semi-structured interview protocol—a fancy
name for a common anthropological research tool. Such an interview protocol guides the questioning and
organizes the answers but doesn’t constrain the participants wording too much. You will then analyze the two
incidences to figure out and describe the underlying rules/taboos that were broken. The informant provides the
answers to the first four questions but you will develop an answer to the fifth question: What was the cultural
rule that appears to have been broken? The cultural rule may be expressed as a dictum; such as “You may begin
eating only after mother has raised her fork”. Compare the incidents you’ve collected. What do they have in
common? For example, is the same rule broken in both examples? Did the “audience” respond to the
transgression with similar remarks or actions? At discussion you will discuss the range of rules broken. Do you
notice patterns along gender, age, or ethnic lines in what causes the embarrassment?
Grading Guidance: This assignment is worth 10 points. Grading is based on a number of categories including:
following directions, quality of notes, basic writing (paragraphs, transitions, spelling, etc.), content, key
components (re-creating the incidents, analysis of incidents, discussion of cultural rules/norms, and inclusive of

audiences’ reaction, and the outcome), and especially the quality of your conclusions. You must use at least
two vocabulary words or concepts in your paper (footnote and define/describe the concept).
Directions:
1. Record two sets of ‘notes’ on the sheets provided below (two different embarrassing incidents):
a. One that you either performed or were witness to.
b. For the second, you will need to interview a classmate, friend, colleague, or family member (or
stranger! meet someone new!) and record their incident.
c. Use the subtopics from the form (below) to reconstruct the incident and guide your interview.
2. Once you have compiled your notes, you will then need to write up the incidents into paragraph format.
a. You should spend MOST of focus on your analysis – the last subtopic (#5):
1. What cultural rule was broken?
a. How might this incident been averted? How might it have been different if
you were older? Younger? With your parents? Did the context matter?
b. After you have finished analyzing each incident, compare the two incidents: in what ways were
they similar, different? Consider both the transgressor and the audience.

Logistics:
1. Type up your notes regarding the two incidents – questions 1-5
2. Write-up a 2-page analysis of the incidents, start with introduction (brief introduction, make sure to use a
thesis statement describing the cultural rules), report the similarities and differences in these incidents,
and close your report with comparative conclusions.
a. Sample outline (4-6 paragraphs expected):
I. Introductory statement
II. Incident 1 discussion
a. Q1-4
b. Q1 Explain the cultural rule that was broken.
III. Incident 2 discussion
a. Q1-4
b. Q1 Explain the cultural rule that was broken.
IV. Conclusion paragraph
a. What elements did the incident share?
b. What elements were different?
c. What did this exercise highlight or emphasize for you about the role of
culture in jokes (i.e., what did you learn?)

Semi-structured interview protocol: Embarrassing Incidents Notes
Incident 1
1 Describe the scene: who,
where, when, what was
happening
2 Identify the embarrassing
event
3 Describe the responses of the
“audience”
4 Describe the responses of the
“perpetrator”
5 Explain the cultural rule
that was broken

Semi-structured interview protocol: Embarrassing Incidents Notes
Incident 2
1 Describe the scene: who,
where, when, what was
happening
2 Identify the embarrassing
event
3 Describe the responses of the
“audience”
4 Describe the responses of the
“perpetrator”
5 Explain the cultural rule
that was broken

 

 

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