Chili_Fest_Folks

SOC 101 Journal Writing Assignment One Today is Saturday and it’s a typical Michigan winter day, some clouds in the sky, a bit windy, light snow, cold but not unbearable. We, my 3 teen daughters and I, are at the Chilly Fest in Pt. Huron. This event is being held both indoors and outside at the McMorran Place. There are all different age groups here but I did notice many families grouped together enjoying the activities. The first thing we did was head indoors to find the Chili Cook Off. We encountered this huge line of people all crowded together. I did not know what the line was for but got in it just in case it was something fun to do. I observed that the people around me were not smiling and in fact looked a bit upset. After a few minutes the girls pointed out to me that I had cut in line, the line went much further back. This was not very observant on my part and I removed myself from the line. I now understood what all the unhappy faces were for! What I wondered is why most people just don’t politely say something like Ma’am I’m sorry but you must not have noticed the end of line is back there. Are people too uncomfortable or shy to point out this small injustice, wouldn’t that be easier then standing there silently fuming. We have now found the chili. There are 15 restaurants competing for your attention and all happily handing out samples of their chili. I watched different individuals as they took the chili, some were quiet or shy about it and would take the sample and walk away, while others stood there eating it and chatting with the cooks. There were approximately 10 round tables set up and they were all filled. What struck me was how many people were just sitting there with their family members (or so it looked) but not talking with each other, just gazing off in to space. It could be due to the big loud crowd, I am not sure. There were a few couples or small groups standing around drinking a beer or some other beverage engaging in conversation and seemingly having a good time, laughing, touching an arm and paying attention to each other. Now that we have had our fill of chili we head outdoors. The first thing we do is go stand in line for the horse wagon ride. I notice a blind man standing off to the side talking to himself. He was a bit dirty and ragged and the group was ignoring him. The couples were huddling together and the smaller children were rolling in a pile of snow. I waited for someone to talk to him but no one did. After approximately 10 minutes I did move over to him and listened to what he had to say and talked with him. This lasted through the ride. He did say how he couldn’t wait to go get some chili and I noticed that it looked as though he had already had some. There was chili on the tip of his nose and drippings down his white coat. I helped him off the wagon and we went our separate ways. The wind was picking up and the crowds were thinning out. After a couple of more activities we headed to the Maritime Center on the St. Clair River for some hot chocolate and a doughnut. After ordering the hot chocolates I told the girls they could have any doughnut they wanted and watched them to see how they would decide. They all went for the size of the doughnut. They didn’t even consider the small doughnuts. The ones they picked were so big I told the girls we could use them as rafts out on the river! When the worker handed me the hot chocolates they were plain. I asked if she had any whipped cream. She said sure and then also decided to add some decorative sprinkles. It was a much better presentation! When we sat down I noticed a couple of people ordering hot chocolate and she offered them the whipped cream and said she had gotten some nice sprinkles in and would they like some' She must have observed our happy faces. The center was peaceful and relaxing. There was one couple sitting close together drinking coffee and looking at something on their laptop. There were a few people alone reading a book. I wonder if the river has something to do with the warm calm atmosphere inside. One elderly gentleman did stop at our table on his way out. He commented on how he had raised 5 daughters and that is why his hair was white. We chatted for a bit and he was on his way. It is my impression that many people are just looking for someone to listen to them. All you have to do is glance at them and smile and usually a conversation will follow.