Week 5 - Presentation of self.

Presentation of self.

As I sit writing this blog I’m watching my three gorgeous housemates get dressed up for a big night out on the town. They have spent hours meticulously disguising any imperfection in their skin that was barely noticeable to anyone but themselves, emphasising their features, applying layers of mascara and agonising over what to wear. Watching this anticipation and seeing their excitement build, I can’t help but feel it’s perfect timing for me to be writing this blog and reflecting upon this week’s lecture.

Within the lengthy reading this week, Goffman discusses the way in which the painted self or the self that we present to others is reacted to by the via a twisted web of social interactionism, symbols, rules and codes of conduct which are constantly changing from context to context. The presented self that is described, and which my housemates are trying so hard to alter, he labels as demeanour. This concept of demeanour encompasses and is conveyed by our every movement, use of language and carefully chosen outfit. It is this carefully formulated demeanour that shapes the way in which others respond to us, that is, deference.

Goffman suggests that deference and demeanour work together in order to support an individual’s image of self, and when in conflict these two concepts very easily destroy a person’s image of their self. It appears, to me, to be in an attempt to keep a positive alliance between the two and maintain their image of self, that my housemates are making such an effort. In addition, they may also be reflecting Goffman’s symmetrical and asymmetrical classes, and so getting dressed up is an attempt on their behalf to ensure they are not on the lower side of an asymmetrical class power balance with other people in the pub, but are at the very least, involved in symmetrical class balance. An interaction best made by observation, I think. Red wine, watch out!