Assignment 4: Interviews Activity 4B

Conduct the interviews

After mind mapping the topic I decided the best way to approach the interviews was to jot down a few questions, a question to start with and some questions I could refer to during the interview. This is what I wrote down:

What sort of things do you keep that you don’t really need or use?

Do these things have memories attached to them? What are these memories?

Are these things actually useful? Do you use them often?

Did you buy them yourself or was it given to you?

Are the items expensive/luxury/designer/one off?

Is it something you can’t live without?

Are your items with sentimental value more precious than those, which were expensive?

If I were to destroy all your possessions and you could keep one thing what would it be?

Would you say this is your most treasured item?

I tried to keep all of my questions as open as possible, and tried not to guide anyone in a particular direction. I also tended to ask them questions, which helped me to understand their responses or gain more background information about them. I interviewed 4 people, 3 female and 1 male aged between 19 and 21 but I have chosen only to write about the interviews of the first 3 people as I feel this allowed me to obtain enough information. When I began interviewing the first person I intended it to be a trial run or pilot experiment but as it went better than I expected I decided to use the results I obtained.

I began by asking the first person ‘What sort of things do you keep that you don’t really need or use?’ The response was quite slow and she obviously had to think about the question and although it was perhaps a little awkward at first, as I did not really know her, she soon began to come up with answers. ‘Lots of shoes, I don’t wear. Random kitchen stuff, like utensils I was given to bring to uni, things like photos and pictures and letters. Things with memories attached… oh and teddies that sit on my windowsill.’ I then went on to ask her what she had that she wouldn’t get rid of and why? She replied with photos because they remind her of family and friends and past experiences in her life. They all document times and people she doesn’t want to forget. I was just about to move on to another question when she also added that she would also never part with her jewellery. When asked she explained that this was because much of it was expensive whether bought by herself or given to her by family and friends. Much of it also had many memories and stories attached which she briefly told me about. I asked her if there was any piece of jewellery in particular that meant a lot to her and she told me that the real pearl necklace her parents gave to her for her 18^th birthday was her most precious piece of jewellery because not only was it very expensive but it also had sentimental value. It was a gift for her 18^th and she has since worn it to a wedding, some 21^st birthdays and other such important occasions. She also went on to tell some others stories related to the necklace. Next I asked her if there was any other object that was as precious to her? And she was unable to think of anything. So I concluded with ‘would you say this is your most treasured object’ and she told me it was. The interview only took about 15 minutes and I learnt a great about her. For example I now know some of the things she likes and what is important to her. I also know about people in her family, some of her friends both past and present and events she has attended in the past few years.

I took a similar approach when interviewing the second person. I learnt that she has lots of clothes, CD’s, handwritten notes from friends, photos and homemade cards that she has but doesn’t really use. She also told me a of a rock she has kept for about 4-5years that she found with a friend, there is no point to the rock and It has no use, its not even very attractive. I think she kept it as it reminds her of her friend and a particular day out, that she probably enjoyed as she laughed when she told me about it. The rock is probably a sort of souvenir, something to remember the day by. As the interview progressed she relaxed more and began to tell me things in greater depth. I learnt that she tries to hang on to her childhood memories and had a big box of photos with her at uni as well as other things like hair clips and letters from when she was little. She also has a lot of expensive jewellery which she hardly wears as she is scared it will get lost. As we began to talk more about jewellery I think she started to consider what she said more carefully and her voice was quieter. I think this is perhaps because the object she kept referring back to was very personal and perhaps upset her as it was given to her when her grandma died only a year or so ago. The object she told me about was a charm bracelet given to her when her grandma passed away. Each charm on the bracelet represented a year that her grandparents were married, as her grandad used to give her grandma a charm every year on their wedding anniversary. This bracelet is that important to the person I interviewed that she doesn’t use the bracelet or even have it with her at uni. It is in a box beside her bed at home. I feel quite overwhelmed at this story as I was surprised that the person I interviewed was happy to tell me about something so important to her and she was able to speak openly about her grandparents who she obviously cared a great deal for. I didn’t think someone who barely knew me would be open to tell me about someone she had lost and a treasured object that was so special to her. It was slightly awkward for me, I didn’t know quite how to react having never lost someone close to me. However I thought best not to ask too many questions just to let her talk, which was very useful and interesting.

The next interview I carried out was slightly different. The same approach didn’t work, I had to ask more questions to be able to relate to her answers. When asked ‘What sort of things do you keep that you don’t really need or use?’ she took a long time to come up with anything and then said that she has a few posters, wrist bands and tickets from gigs but that’s about it. She told me that she has very few material possessions compared to an average person. Her wardrobe is only half full, she only has shoes she wears and she doesn’t wear jewellery! At this point I was quite lost. She also has nothing to remind her of her childhood and nothing passed down from a relative or given to her by a family member. She has also never been given anything by a boyfriend and could think of no memorable gift given by school friends, which puzzled me a lot. When I asked her about school I came to learn that she has been bullied at school, which could explain why she didn’t mention photos, or anything associated with friends. I also asked about her family which I found out is very small, she only knows her mum, granda and her uncle. Her gran died a long time ago and she has never known anyone else. I then went back to ask further about her tickets and wristbands and discovered her love for music and festivals, especially T in the Park, which was common ground and we discussed at length. After this we discussed technology she has an old MP3 player and a laptop, which she bought herself. Again I found out this was perhaps due to having a small family, she has been working since 14 and buying all her own things since 15-16. In conclusion there are two things, which this person treasures, and that is her laptop, which she bought herself. She said that she cannot live without the internet which she relies on for music, to communicate with people and to play games and watch tv. The other thing she treasures is her T in the Park wristbands one of which she has not removed since summer 2008, which are of great sentimental value.

Just out of interest I also tested out the theory that if you go straight in with the question you want to be answered won’t get the response you need or want. The other night when I was sat in the kitchen with my flat mate I simply said if you had to pick something, what object do you treasure the most and why? She replied after a moments thought with ‘…I can’t think of anything. There is nothing in particular really.’