Blog Entry #5

Café on the Vine

Blog Entry #5

Throughout my serving at Café on the Vine I have noticed that the themes that reoccur each visit are Perception, Stereotyping and Personality.  This experience will shape how I interact in the future when it comes to interpersonal communication because it showed me that people’s attitudes come from their perspective and others perspectives.  This also showed me that judging people is never 100% guarantee because even though we might base our stereotypes off of past experiences there are always exceptions and circumstances to take into consideration.  This project has also taught me that the way I carry myself is noticed and taken differently by different people.  I am glad we got this assignment because it also showed me that I can fit things like helping at Café on the Vine into my schedule!

Blog Entry #4

Café on the Vine

Blog Entry #4:

                When I went to Café on the Vine this time I arrived and we got right to work!  We got the ham and potatoes all ready.  We also had this spinach and rice stuff that looked really gross.  As I was serving I learned a few different people’s names!  I recognized most of the people that came in.  After a while we slowed down and I got some lunch and went out to the dining area and looked around for somewhere to sit.  I decided I did not want to eat by myself so I sat down across from a lady who was sitting by herself.  I asked her if I could sit there and she said very quietly “sure”.  I sat down and got situated, and then looked up at her and said “Hi, my names Ashley! What is your name?”  She quietly said her name and looked back down at her food.  I sat there for a moment eating with an awkward silence, and then asked her how she liked her lunch.  She looked at me and said “It is very good.” I nodded my head in agreement and asked her what she did for a living.  She finally opened up and we ended up having a rather lovely conversation about school and engineering which she had a degree in and how she ended up in Davenport.  After we both finished eating we said goodbye.  I realized that it took a little work but after we started talking this lady was very intelligent.  I realized that stereotyping is something I was doing without even knowing it.  When I think of someone in a business suit I automatically assume they are smart but the fact is money doesn’t always translate to intelligence.  At the same time if you see a person dressed in rags you assume they don’t have money and therefore could not afford an education. However, with today’s technology people who have no money can still be very educated.  I will use this when I meet people.  It will remind me not to prejudge people!

Blog Entry #3

Café on the Vine

Blog Entry #3:

            On November 2^nd I got to Café on the Vine around 10am.  I started out by washing all of the tables and chairs off.  By the time they were all clean, we were almost ready to start letting people in.  I went to the back where I met a group of darling ladies who were retired.  Some were trying to put apple sauce containers away and the others were peeling potatoes.  I helped them carry the applesauce to the back, and they were very grateful.  When people started coming in I couldn’t help but be really excited!  I am a people person and getting to help people is something I enjoy doing.  I was serving with this elderly man who was pouring milk and juice, and we started talking about college and engineering.  He talked about his niece and how she was a cheerleader.  I could tell how proud he was of her as he was talking about everything she has accomplished.  After we were done serving and had closed, everyone helped clean up.  As we were serving, the man asked me if I was a senior.  I thought he meant in high school but he actually meant in college.  It took me by surprise because I figured people still see me as being young and more and more recently I have been asked if I am a junior or senior.  This has to do a lot with perception of self as well as perception of others.  I still view myself as just out of high school but others see my outgoingness and confidence as maturity and therefore think I am older than I actually am.  This experience taught me that the way you carry yourself effects the way people think about and act toward you.  I can apply this to many aspects of life.  When I have interviews or business meetings I can remember these things and therefore be seen as older and wiser! 

Blog Entry 2:

Cafe on the Vine

Blog Entry 2:

 

When I arrived at Cafe on the Vine the morning of Oct. 29th, the kitchen was already bustling with people. I met a lot of the other volunteers rather quickly as they were rushing from place to place trying to get food ready. My first task was to bring in squash from the big freezer outside, and then cut them in half with huge knives. It was really fun! After I helped with a handful of random tasks getting ready for our guests to arrive, I was put on the serving station. Just as people started arriving the food was coming out of the ovens. I asked each person if they wanted each type of food we had to offer. They were all very respectful, but some were more outgoing than others. I kept a big smile on my face and greeted each even the most timid with a big "good morning!"

 I suppose if I were in their shoes it would be hard for me to have to, in a sense, swallow my pride and except help. That is due to personality, perception of self and others. They might be worried of being judged by others and possibly even by me. That is why I tried to be extremely friendly!  Due to the fact that people view themselves as how they think others view them, could be the reason they are a bit more timid at first.  Another reason most likely is due to self disclosure.  I do not know them at all yet so they could just be a little weary of me and strangers in general.  I learned that sometimes it is better to hold back a little.  People may feel overwhelmed if you are overly happy or bubbly. People are more receptive to a casual smile and good morning!

Blog Entry #1

Cafe on the Vine

Blog Entry 1:
        I am going to be volunteering at Cafe on the Vine starting this friday!  I am hoping that I can help others and gain more of an appreciation for all of the things I have been blessed with.  I am trying to keep an open mind about the people we will be serving at my site.  I assume they are just normal people with normal lives, and they just are at a spot in their life where they need a little extra help.  They all have had experiences and all have something to contribute to society!  I would assume or at least hope that the people that work there would have the same mentality and would have an attitude of service and a want to go out of their way to help others.  The site I imagine will be set up kind of like a cafe! I am excited to help serve at Cafe on the Vine because, ever since about 5th grade my friends and I have helped at different places around my home town of Morton IL. and I always have fun and learn so much from the people there! This opportunity is a way for me to get involved in the community and I figure if I can make somebody's day a little better than the work was all worth it!