Nancy Wong
Goffman stated that individuals use different "fronts" when we act like students, friends, siblings, sons, or daughters. We force ourselves to act appropriately depending on the situation we are in. For example, we may want to appear like we are doing homework in front of our parents or teachers so they will be proud of us, or we do so because we really have no other choice. 
But in the "back region" when they are not supervising us, our minds are not focusing on homework, but rather, we begin daydreaming about something like Tinkerbell. Occupations seems to provide one of the best situations where people must use front regions to act professionally. Often, teachers appear to their students as bookworms, living their lives soley lecturing about math or science. 
The teacher may be teaching her students the "ABC's" in class, but later that night, she just might throw on a sexy, black dress and go clubbing! Millions of Americans eat out at restaurants daily. Though it is a time where families and friends can be merry, casual, and have fun, waiters and waitresses are busy laboring away while putting forth the best "front region" they can. The following is an example of a server's point of view and how they act in front of customers versus what they think behind the kitchen doors. |
