The interviewing process is a very important part of the ethnography experience. Interviewing gives you the side of the location that you can only get through word of mouth. It is impossible to know the back story of your location without talking to someone and it is also impossible to know what the people there think without speaking to them. The customer is just as important to hear from as the provider, especially in the case of your location and mine. It's important to go deep into the subject to gain more knowledge about the area.
In the writer's essay about the Hanover Bowlabdrome (now Boston Bowl) she chose to emphasize the workers and the bowlers there. Bowling is the kind of activity that is best spoken from the actual player. You need to see the artist with his paint brush more importantly than the guy that owns the museum. Laura, Patty and Alice could all somewhat be defined by this essay and you can tell that Alice seems to be less friendly of the three. On the other hand you find out alot about Carol by interviewing her. The higher ups also have strong insight to be head.
For my interviews with the people at taco bell, I plan on spreading it out between employees and customers. I feel like the people that actually buy the food can give me good insight on what they enjoy and what they don't enjoy. Also their habits at the restaurant and why they come. From the employees I can gain information on the founding of the taco bell, the work that goes on in the back and the origin of much of the menu and perhaps even the origin of Baja Blast.
An example of a strong interview
Mr. Leeman, you make very strong points about the essay and things that I didn't even consider. Seems that you unserstood this very well and this will help improve your writings on Taco Bell. Taco Bell is a very interesting place especially late at night, can't wait to read about your findings.
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