Breaching Experiment: Pakak and Papak! Eating condiments as is

Asuncion, Gomez, Luna, Ng, Pojol
SA 21- E

What norms did you violate?

The norms violated are the use of mayonnaise as a condiment and the use of utensils in eating sticky and colloidal food.

Describe the breaching experiment in detail. What was the activity? Where did you do it?

The group obtained a jar of mayonnaise and replaced its contents with plain yogurt to resemble the original content. They entered shops (7/11, BonChon, Coco) with one holding an open jar of mayonnaise. They fell in line to order while eating the “mayonnaise” straight from the jar using their fingers. People looked at them believing they were eating mayonnaise and were somehow grossed out.

What were the different reactions of the people? List all possible reactions you observed. Why do you think they reacted this way? What caused these reactions? Did the deviant act reaffirm/reinforce the existing norms based on these reactions?

• 7/11

-The clerk laughed when Sam tore the sandwich spread sachet open with her mouth and ate it right after it paying.

• BonChon

-A customer used eye contact to signal to his friend, directing her gaze towards the ongoing deviation.

-The cashier clerk took Sam’s order with a straight face she tried to be professional.

-Many were obviously curious or surprised but tried to hide and ignore it; some looked away and went about their business as usual.

• Coco

-One barista dilated her eyes when she saw Rick and Steve finger licking the mayonnaise from the jar

-The other barista chuckled when Rick asked for tissue because his hands still had mayonnaise

-Many of the people in coco got distracted as soon as Rick and Steve entered holding the mayonnaise jar and taking finger dips from it but after a while they returned back to what they were doing

-A student stared at Rick and Steve and tried to look away when they looked at him

-Some seemed grossed out and their faces turned sour

-The girl beside Rick and Steve grew uncomfortable sitting beside them and stood up, took her order and immediately went out of the shop

-No one pointed a finger or directly pointed at us to get our attention, everyone tried to hide their reaction or at least not become so obvious

There were mainly two sets of reactions: discomfort and unfamiliarity, and blase. Many of the audience were curious or surprised as to why we were doing the acts. They were intrigued with what was happening because the act was not commonly done especially in public. Some smiled and smirked, maybe because they were surprised or found it funny or maybe because they know it must be an experiment of some sort--there must be something behind the act or else it would simply be crazy. Others seemed uncomfortable seeing someone eat mayonnaise as is, especially with his finger, and in public. Perhaps they could imagine the taste of the mayonnaise itself and the sour creamy flavor in their mind elicited a “yuck” feeling. They were uncomfortable to the point that they would just look away or isolate themselves far from the commotion. The other general theme of responses was blase or somehow being naive or unimpressed with what was happening, probably because they know that it was just an experiment or they were too busy.

Aside from the norms, what sociological themes are at play for people to react in a certain way? Is it a function of gender (gender norms, roles), social class (norms of the rich & the poor), values/beliefs of institutions (religion, family, peer group, etc.)?

Aside from the norms, the themes on Food and Food Sharing, Health and Wellbeing, and Hygiene/Sanitation were violated because of 1) the mere eating of mayonnaise as is 2) using one’s fingers 3) in a public place while 4) sharing it with someone else. Mayonnaise is high in cholesterol so it is not generally recommended to be eaten as snack or pastime food. It is unhygienic to eat with one’s bare hands, dipping the finger into the jar then to the mouth and vice versa. Mayonnaise is also commonly found in the cupboard or table together with other condiments so it should not be eaten and carried anywhere else especially in public places like ice cream. The practice of eating mayonnaise is with a utensil and is used as either sandwich spread or ingredient and not as is. It is also not like chips to be shared and feasted on by friends. It is simply not a finger food.

In this experiment, the function of maturity as values/beliefs of institutions is called into play. This is because it has been thought to be normal for someone to be raised knowing what to eat and how to eat it. Included here is the use of food as a condiment or as a meal on its own. The Filipino concept of “Papak” is a childhood practice wherein children take to eating food as it is; without cooking it or combining it with complementary ingredients (e.g. eating milo or milk powder instead of dissolving it in water as drink, eating raw noodles, eating the viand without rice). Often, this act would be corrected as one ages because food have their norms too.

How did you feel when you did this experiment? How does it feel to deviate from the norms? Were you hesitant to do the activity?

From the very beginning, the researchers were nervous about performing the experiment. It was embarrassing to perform in public. We, ourselves, were not used to eating mayonnaise as it is, since it is not meant to be eaten as a meal on its own. We couldn’t endure eating the mayo itself, so we replaced the contents with plain yogurt which we could endure better. We had to decide on who would be the actors. After a while when we grew used to it. Then we were more comfortable doing the “act” and observing people’s reactions. Deviating from the norms made us feel ashamed. We were conscious of the judgement of the other patrons that was both a response and a sanction.

Other observations and analysis that you may have on the activity and on deviance in general.

In this experiment, it was noteworthy that no one ever called our attention or apprehended us for our unusual actions. We received odd looks and were potentially judged by others. However, for the most part, our actions were tolerated. The norms we violated were light and were not given substantial sanctions.