Response to Jordan

This is a response to Jordan's previous, which I am posting as a separate entry because I want everyone to see it, and because it speaks to issues which may well arise in other fieldwork situations. It's an example error, as we have been discussing it in class. "Error" (conflict, mistakes, disagreement, contestation, etc) is actually potentially productive; you can learn things about how your informants perceive situations from such error. Don't let it freak you out too badly.

Here's my reply to Jordan (read his posting too):

OK: need more details. Has there been unpleasant interaction b/w yourself and this person previously? Are you aware of basis for it? That will help determine strategies.

If the phone is not working for you, *stop using it*--don't persist in using a communicative means that is being intercepted. Look at the station website to find out when he is there and *go there*. If they don't have a website, take your team with you and *speak in person* with this receptionist.

Never underestimate the power of an apology, even if un-justified by your conduct. Realize (as I'm sure you do) that in this part of the world, people have certain ways of doing business, and that you have to be sensitive to those ways in order to get what you want. If that means saying, in person, in the most non-confrontive and "nicey-nice" way possibility "Oh, gosh, I'm afraid I've gotten off on the wrong here. I am *so* sorry to have pestered you. I assure you that wasn't at all what I wanted to do. It's just that I and my teammates really admire what the station does, and we are writing about the station, and we want to make sure that we present the fullest and most complimentary picture of everything you do. And if we can't speak to Mr X I'm just so afraid that we'll be presenting an incomplete picture. And we sure would appreciate it if you could possibly overlook my gaffe and let us know when would be a convenient time to speak with Mr X. And we sure do appreciate your help." Et cetera ad nauseum.

Realize that you can send the message "hey, we're trying to work this out here, and if you persist in this unhelpful behavior it is going to reflect badly on you personally and on the station." You have power--the trick is to convey that you have it without EVER being anything except deferential and nice. Texas Protestant church-ladies are past masters at this; if you have any experience with them, use them as a model.

Remember: apologies, nicey-nice tones, an aura of humility or deference--even if you're acting--cost you nothing and may get you the results you want.

If it *still* doesn't work, find another time/place/medium with which to speak to Mr X, equally nicey-nice, and say "Oh gosh, I just think we might have gotten off on the wrong foot with the receptionist, and we're just so sorry, but she just seems to think we're nothing but a nuisance. And we really admire what you and the station do, and we sure do want to present you-all in the broadest and most favorable light possible, but gosh, we just seem to have irritated her too much for her to want to help us. Is there anything you could do?"

And then, if possible, don't go through her at all.

If you *still* can't get to Mr X in person, *write to him in care of the show* with this same message. Don't include a visible return address--it's highly unlikely that she'll round-file his snailmail.

Don't let it freak you out too much. These kinds of interpersonal conflicts do arise in fieldwork/ethnography; learning how to avoid them where possible and cope with them when they occur is all part of the drill. It'll work out OK.