I've been taking it easy this week, kind of. I have been switching off between doing surveys and doing essentially nothing during the day. Monday, did nothing. Tuesday, I went to La Paillade to the marché and was overwhelmed with the amount of people there. The kicker was, of course, that the majority were there to shop and had almost zero desire to answer my survey questions. I don't blame them necessarily. I was able to acquire two people from shopping.
One man approached me and asked what I was doing, so I explained and we began the survey. What then proceeded was a long, treacherous conversation regarding U.S. involvement in the middle east, Israel and zionism, Iran and the fundamental tenets of Islam with respect to the individual. I left with him honestly and positively wishing that I find God (or Allah). "May Allah guide you," he proclaimed as we parted ways. "May you keep faith in humanity," I said. It was a glorious meeting.
Also, I spoke with a man whose French was not so great. I found myself translating certain words from French into Arabic with success! He understood the word migrant (muhajjir) and was able to answer the many questions regarding immigration policy, or siyasa-t-al-hijriyya.
Wednesday of course was a nice day off, and today I wasn't expecting much from my visit over to Figuerolles. Unable to find a suitable porte-éponge downtown, I went to Figuerolles to do a bit of ye olde surveying. Within maybe 20 minutes I had four completed (a new, world record). I then wandered a bit, found a man sitting in front of a café and interviewed/surveyed him (Kurdish from Turkey). Not only did he take my survey, he bought me tea and talked to me for a long time about the differences between the United States and Europe (mostly economic questions). He was pretty awesome, and seemed like a pretty sweet dude to go clubbing with.
All in all, I have 51 surveys. I'll be able to get a few more before I leave, hopefully rounding out around 65 if I can manage it. I'm okay with that. It's not 100, but it's not terrible for one person with extremely limited resources. Right?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Ran out of Surveys!
My coffee stained surveys proved to not be enough today (as I should have known) and the photocopy place I tried was closed on Sundays (I would assume the same for the majority of the rest).
Regardless, I had extended survey sessions with some people (all men today, if I recall correctly). First, a book-seller from Cameroon lauded my efforts as he remarked on the positive potential of immigration (and migration in general) to circulate ideas, information and reduce the barriers that (if I've noticed anything) certainly exist between different kinds of people. No more parentheses y'all! Sorry!
Second, I met a man from the Comoros islands who was eloquent despite his inability to read or write. We talked during the survey time, and I ran into him again as I made the rounds of the flea market and he proceeded to tell me some things about Africa that I *had* to include in my B.A. thesis. I listened, and took notes. It fit with a lot of what I'd read about the systemic problems residents of Africa face; particularly those considering migrating to Europe. Perhaps most interesting was that he emphasized that remittances often had consequences for those who *send* them and not just consequences (positive and negative) for those that receive them. The way he put it was that people are sending money from what little they make and are forced to continually tighten their belts over and over again. That is, they send money to their families at their own expense, and he thinks this system isn't necessarily a good one. I don't necessarily agree or disagree, but it's an interesting perspective I had yet to hear.
Next, I met two Senegalese men who were percussionists (Sabar among others) who told me more than enough about their opinions regarding French immigration policy. We decided that Sarkozy was probably "déraciné," given his seeming disregard for the plight of immigrants, but a friendly guy listening in chimed that Sarkozy was in fact a "pédé" (look that up if you like). Regardless, they were animated and genuinely interested, which was a refreshing change of spirit from previous survey respondents.
Then, this afternoon, I watched three episodes of Mad Men. Sweet show.
Sabar, for those that are curious.
Regardless, I had extended survey sessions with some people (all men today, if I recall correctly). First, a book-seller from Cameroon lauded my efforts as he remarked on the positive potential of immigration (and migration in general) to circulate ideas, information and reduce the barriers that (if I've noticed anything) certainly exist between different kinds of people. No more parentheses y'all! Sorry!
Second, I met a man from the Comoros islands who was eloquent despite his inability to read or write. We talked during the survey time, and I ran into him again as I made the rounds of the flea market and he proceeded to tell me some things about Africa that I *had* to include in my B.A. thesis. I listened, and took notes. It fit with a lot of what I'd read about the systemic problems residents of Africa face; particularly those considering migrating to Europe. Perhaps most interesting was that he emphasized that remittances often had consequences for those who *send* them and not just consequences (positive and negative) for those that receive them. The way he put it was that people are sending money from what little they make and are forced to continually tighten their belts over and over again. That is, they send money to their families at their own expense, and he thinks this system isn't necessarily a good one. I don't necessarily agree or disagree, but it's an interesting perspective I had yet to hear.
Next, I met two Senegalese men who were percussionists (Sabar among others) who told me more than enough about their opinions regarding French immigration policy. We decided that Sarkozy was probably "déraciné," given his seeming disregard for the plight of immigrants, but a friendly guy listening in chimed that Sarkozy was in fact a "pédé" (look that up if you like). Regardless, they were animated and genuinely interested, which was a refreshing change of spirit from previous survey respondents.
Then, this afternoon, I watched three episodes of Mad Men. Sweet show.
Sabar, for those that are curious.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Parasolar Attack
I went to Figuerolles again today to seek folks to respond to my increasingly memorized questionnaire. It went fairly well for the time I was there, I got about 10 or so, which is as many as a single person can get during a day at the market (if only I had a team of eager researchers).
The worst part of the day was of course during a coffee break at the café across the street. I was minding my own business going over my questionnaires, sipping my coffee when the wind knocked the large metal umbrella behind me onto my shoulder (fortunately missing the sensitive back of my head area). Now I'm starting to feel the pain from that, but at the time all I could think about was the hot coffee spilled all over my face, hair, hands, glasses, table, notebook and surveys. Good times fokes, good times. As the server said, "Now you're research is about coffee." Classy.
After succumbing to the heat/tiredness, I returned back to the house to retire for the evening in preparation of a long day at the flea market at La Paillade, where I hope to hit my 50 mark! If I can leave Montpellier with 70+ surveys, I'll be happy. I have not too many days left to accomplish my goal, and I'm running out of people to ask in the two neighborhoods I've been going to. (Afraid to expand search to other neighborhoods for statistical reasons).
In other news, I hate Glenn Beck.
The worst part of the day was of course during a coffee break at the café across the street. I was minding my own business going over my questionnaires, sipping my coffee when the wind knocked the large metal umbrella behind me onto my shoulder (fortunately missing the sensitive back of my head area). Now I'm starting to feel the pain from that, but at the time all I could think about was the hot coffee spilled all over my face, hair, hands, glasses, table, notebook and surveys. Good times fokes, good times. As the server said, "Now you're research is about coffee." Classy.
After succumbing to the heat/tiredness, I returned back to the house to retire for the evening in preparation of a long day at the flea market at La Paillade, where I hope to hit my 50 mark! If I can leave Montpellier with 70+ surveys, I'll be happy. I have not too many days left to accomplish my goal, and I'm running out of people to ask in the two neighborhoods I've been going to. (Afraid to expand search to other neighborhoods for statistical reasons).
In other news, I hate Glenn Beck.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Sometimes Difficult
Not only was it stiflingly hot outside today, but I had little luck with surveys. To be fair, the people that did answer my questions were, for the most part, very interesting. That being said, I was only able to get three today. One Frenchman, one man originally from Senegal, and another man who sought asylum in France from Sudan.
The man from Sudan was particularly affecting for some reason. He didn't speak French very well, so I conducted the survey in English and spent some time to talk to him afterward about how he go to France from Sudan. At some point during the survey questions, he stated that he would never want to go back to Sudan, that it was not an option at all. Having arrived in France on his own, he sought asylum and was fortunate enough to receive papers that guarantee he will not be deported back to Sudan. He and his friend both had only elementary school level education...one with visible scars from something or another.
At any rate, it affected me more than I thought it could. Probably because of Dave Eggers' book that I read not so long ago, "What is the What?" I wouldn't dare to draw connections between these men and the man in the book, but I at least was reminded that stories like what you see in What is the What are entirely real. These men did not wait in a refugee camp, they came to France on their own accord. I can only imagine how and what kind of resources that required.
But, the most affecting (negatively, unfortunately) was the next man I asked to take my survey. I proceeded with my regular spiel, ending with the fact that I am an American researcher. He responded that he didn't like Americans, and therefore would be unwilling to take my survey. I couldn't just let that one go, and assured him that the survey had nothing to do with the United States, but rather was for an individual researcher. He proceeded to repeat that he didn't like Americans and revealed the reason. He doesn't like them because they are fighting wars against Arabs. Presumably he meant Iraq, but he mentioned Afghanistan too. I didn't mention that Afghans are not Arabs, but I got the message; it was Muslims he meant. I responded that I didn't agree necessarily with the actions of my government, to which he retorted that he didn't like Americans regardless, nor did he like the English, nor did he like Jews. Particularly not Jews. Despite my best efforts to get him to take my survey despite my American-ness, he was unwilling. I left by saying simply, "I'm sorry." Honestly, he really irritated me. So much so that I had to leave the neighborhood. I'll return tomorrow morning for the market, and maybe I'll see him again. This time I may try to argue with him some more, but perhaps it would be better if I left the man alone. Regardless, I still can't decide if his attitude stems solely from anger, but it's ironic that he would refuse to take a survey that sought to ascertain his views regarding something relevant to his life. In other words, on some level, I'm on his side.
The man from Sudan was particularly affecting for some reason. He didn't speak French very well, so I conducted the survey in English and spent some time to talk to him afterward about how he go to France from Sudan. At some point during the survey questions, he stated that he would never want to go back to Sudan, that it was not an option at all. Having arrived in France on his own, he sought asylum and was fortunate enough to receive papers that guarantee he will not be deported back to Sudan. He and his friend both had only elementary school level education...one with visible scars from something or another.
At any rate, it affected me more than I thought it could. Probably because of Dave Eggers' book that I read not so long ago, "What is the What?" I wouldn't dare to draw connections between these men and the man in the book, but I at least was reminded that stories like what you see in What is the What are entirely real. These men did not wait in a refugee camp, they came to France on their own accord. I can only imagine how and what kind of resources that required.
But, the most affecting (negatively, unfortunately) was the next man I asked to take my survey. I proceeded with my regular spiel, ending with the fact that I am an American researcher. He responded that he didn't like Americans, and therefore would be unwilling to take my survey. I couldn't just let that one go, and assured him that the survey had nothing to do with the United States, but rather was for an individual researcher. He proceeded to repeat that he didn't like Americans and revealed the reason. He doesn't like them because they are fighting wars against Arabs. Presumably he meant Iraq, but he mentioned Afghanistan too. I didn't mention that Afghans are not Arabs, but I got the message; it was Muslims he meant. I responded that I didn't agree necessarily with the actions of my government, to which he retorted that he didn't like Americans regardless, nor did he like the English, nor did he like Jews. Particularly not Jews. Despite my best efforts to get him to take my survey despite my American-ness, he was unwilling. I left by saying simply, "I'm sorry." Honestly, he really irritated me. So much so that I had to leave the neighborhood. I'll return tomorrow morning for the market, and maybe I'll see him again. This time I may try to argue with him some more, but perhaps it would be better if I left the man alone. Regardless, I still can't decide if his attitude stems solely from anger, but it's ironic that he would refuse to take a survey that sought to ascertain his views regarding something relevant to his life. In other words, on some level, I'm on his side.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Updatezzz (Feel like I'm approaching the end)
After a nice weekend of surveying, my mom and Robert arrived on Sunday from Paris to check me out in Montpellier! Among other things, we made smoothies, visited the nude beach, ate out at a fairly nice restaurant, met a man from Brooklyn, and wandered about downtown in Montpellier. I was happy sleeping in the tent while they were here, but I now am struggling returning to whatever work pattern I may or may not have had.
Yesterday, I decided to go buy some things I needed from the mall, and got some Montpellier football team memorabilia. I also recorded a new mix that had been in the pipeline for a while.
Last night and today I formulated and translated some questions for M. Bard, the head of the développement solidaire branch of the Ministry of Immigration. I might as well attach them so you can see what exactly I'm trying to figure out. I decided to exclude this question: "How do you respond to the critique that the site serves only to manage another aspect of migration, and perhaps profit from remittances and does little to encourage development?" Depending on how he reacts, I may ask it again.
Questions to M. Bard:
1. How does développement solidaire fit in with the other missions/goals of the Ministry of Immigration? Some might deem it incompatible with the ministry's other components; is this true? If not incompatible, then does it serve to further the other stated goals of the ministry? That is, is development intended to reduce immigration? Is it intended to encourage immigration of highly qualified workers? Is it intended to encourage circular migration?
2. How are countries selected for development through this ministry?
3. How are projects determined? Is it solely by assisting existing ideas or projects from migrant associations or other organizations?
4. What are the conditions for entering into développement solidaire? Must a country agree to increase its policing of the border or its efforts to prevent illegal migration into France in order to receive the benefits of this partnership known as développement solidaire?
5. Is the end result of développement solidaire a more independent country of origin that produces less migrants aiming toward France? Doesn't development and, further, remittance flows encourage a dependence on France as a source of wealth and a dependence on the process of migration to France?
6. How have you and will you measure the impact of your efforts in the area of développement solidaire?
Questions re: envoidargent.fr
-- How do you plan to publicize the site?
-- How successful do you rate the site currently and in terms of its potential?
-- What are the plans for the future of the site?
-- Will you provide a way to send the money directly?
-- Will you provide links to development projects? (As I have seen in
the past on the site?)
-- How do you respond to the critique that the site will have little impact given that a portion of funds are sent to destinations without mobile phones or internet, let alone banks or a post office?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Survey Day 2
After taking the day off from stressful survey giving to finish my ChoMUN Crisis Director Manual (first draft), I went back into the action in Figuerolles today. I'm up to 11 responses (maybe 12), so, at this rate, I should be able to get close to 100 before I leave Montpellier (I can only hope).
Today, I found it a bit easier to speak to people and randomly ask them to take a survey. I am trying to maintain a decent variety of folks, but I'm concerned that I will either need to get a representative sample of non-immigrants, or just throw their data out altogether when doing the analysis.
In my decent variety of folks, I encountered many that proceeded to have extended conversations with me prompted solely by my fairly non-intrusive, simple survey. As a result, I taught some guys how to say "You're pretty" in English, I placed my faith in a stranger that he would send me the survey when he finishes it (it'll be a miracle reaffirming the potential of the human spirit if I do get it in the mail), I learned all about how Jimmy Carter and someone else ruined the life of a woman by deposing the Shah in Iran in the 1970s, and I discussed in length the notion of "new colonization [nouvelle colonisation]."
I learned a lot and realized that my survey may have some value to it, even though I may have missed some obvious questions. At the very least, it provokes some interesting and valuable commentary from the population I'm trying to study. For example, I should have asked if people send things other than money to their country of origin (as was pointed out to me today by a respondent who reminded me that often its objects that contribute directly to the development of countries, and not just money).
Overall, it was a great day, and I can't wait to do more (even if it's draining and intimidating).
Also, I finished Absalom, Absalom! More Faulkner please! New favorite quotation:
"'Now I want you to tell me just one thing more. Why do you hate the South?' 'I don't hate it,' Quentin said, quickly, at once, immediately; 'I don't hate it,' he said. I dont hate it he thought, panting in the cold air, the iron New England dark: I dont. I dont! I dont hate it! I dont hate it!"
Today, I found it a bit easier to speak to people and randomly ask them to take a survey. I am trying to maintain a decent variety of folks, but I'm concerned that I will either need to get a representative sample of non-immigrants, or just throw their data out altogether when doing the analysis.
In my decent variety of folks, I encountered many that proceeded to have extended conversations with me prompted solely by my fairly non-intrusive, simple survey. As a result, I taught some guys how to say "You're pretty" in English, I placed my faith in a stranger that he would send me the survey when he finishes it (it'll be a miracle reaffirming the potential of the human spirit if I do get it in the mail), I learned all about how Jimmy Carter and someone else ruined the life of a woman by deposing the Shah in Iran in the 1970s, and I discussed in length the notion of "new colonization [nouvelle colonisation]."
I learned a lot and realized that my survey may have some value to it, even though I may have missed some obvious questions. At the very least, it provokes some interesting and valuable commentary from the population I'm trying to study. For example, I should have asked if people send things other than money to their country of origin (as was pointed out to me today by a respondent who reminded me that often its objects that contribute directly to the development of countries, and not just money).
Overall, it was a great day, and I can't wait to do more (even if it's draining and intimidating).
Also, I finished Absalom, Absalom! More Faulkner please! New favorite quotation:
"'Now I want you to tell me just one thing more. Why do you hate the South?' 'I don't hate it,' Quentin said, quickly, at once, immediately; 'I don't hate it,' he said. I dont hate it he thought, panting in the cold air, the iron New England dark: I dont. I dont! I dont hate it! I dont hate it!"
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
First Survey Day
I just returned from an epic bike ride journey (one that involved biking to La Paillade and Figuerolles) that put my survey to the test. Turns out that, for the most part, it's good. It requires a bit of explanation here and there, but only for the folks that need it, the majority had no problem understanding the questions, just some difficulty answering them (which was expected at times).
As compared to my research in Chicago, my only real frame of reference, the first struggle I had was a lack of incentive. Without waving money around, how could I get people to take 10 minutes out of their lives to take a survey? I began abruptly in La Paillade, just missing the market by about 10 minutes. Having 15 copies of my survey at hand, I was determined to get about half of those (didn't quite meet the mark, but oh well). I paced frantically, trying to determine exactly how I could begin a conversation that was formal, pleading but not begging, etc. etc.
My formulation was as follows: Excusez-moi, monsieur (ou madame). Voudriez-vous répondre aux quelques questions? This seemed simple enough. Of course, my first target simply said "No." The second were a two men, seated, seemingly not too busy. I mustered the courage to present them with my formula. One seemed not to care whatsoever, regardless of what I was going to say, while the other seemed generally curious. Not curious enough to contradict his friend who informed me that he was pretty busy and in a hurry.
Regardless, I realized that I had to develop a hook, line and sinker technique where I somehow got their interest long enough. I went back to a commercial center to find some people at bars (maybe?) (even though it's Ramadan) and did indeed find more people idling there. I approached one man who seemed nice. I started my formula, and he seemed to quickly lose interest, so I added, "Je suis un chercheur américain." BAM! Success. "Vous-êtes américain?" That piqued his interest. So, I sat down and did an interview style survey with him. Things went well. After it was over, with me practically hyperventilating, I went forth to find my next victim.
I found a woman seated in a café. I wasn't sure how to approach her, so I just asked the question, but with some reservation. Apparently I'm cute enough, because she said simply "Dites-moi" and I then began my "I'm an American researcher"spiel which seems to work so well. And, oh, did it ever (work so well). Not only did she take my survey, she gave me a glass of water, and a croissant for free. !!
I then wandered some more, finding a man staring at me strangely in the commercial center. Well, I asked him if he wanted to take the survey. This one was difficult because he seemed interested, but French was definitely not his language. I'm not sure how valuable his responses were.
Finally, I found a man in a white robe (Gandalf) and he responded well to my survey, and I even got to show him that I knew how to write Arabic, etc. (I'd like to think of these as halfway between survey and interview [the ethno-survey]).
After that, I said to myself I couldn't take anymore, it was too overwhelming. So, I made my way back home only to change my mind and head to Figuerolles to see how my luck fared there.
Much more happenings were happening at Figuerolles, but most people appeared preoccupied. I went over to my favorite little bar area where the old men sit, and saw some particularly bored looking gentlemen. I went up to them and began to ask, providing the hook "Can I ask you some questions?" Then, the line after he says "For what?": "Well, you see, I'm an American researcher and..." And finally, the sinker: "Does it take our name and address?" "No." "Okay we'll take it."
Therein I got two more responses, and could have gotten more (but I didn't want to sacrifice the quality of the data and get too much from the same group of gentlemen outside a café). These men were quite nice, and I discussed at length some of the issues surrounding French immigration, the obtaining of visas, and the like.
All in all, a good day. One thing I noticed: people are generally pretty nice. Another thing: Ramadan desserts attract bees like CRAZY. OH MY GOD. I have never seen so many bees around food and no one care. I suppose they are drenched in honey.
I also bought mint and some of the aforementioned Ramadan desserts. Yummy.
As compared to my research in Chicago, my only real frame of reference, the first struggle I had was a lack of incentive. Without waving money around, how could I get people to take 10 minutes out of their lives to take a survey? I began abruptly in La Paillade, just missing the market by about 10 minutes. Having 15 copies of my survey at hand, I was determined to get about half of those (didn't quite meet the mark, but oh well). I paced frantically, trying to determine exactly how I could begin a conversation that was formal, pleading but not begging, etc. etc.
My formulation was as follows: Excusez-moi, monsieur (ou madame). Voudriez-vous répondre aux quelques questions? This seemed simple enough. Of course, my first target simply said "No." The second were a two men, seated, seemingly not too busy. I mustered the courage to present them with my formula. One seemed not to care whatsoever, regardless of what I was going to say, while the other seemed generally curious. Not curious enough to contradict his friend who informed me that he was pretty busy and in a hurry.
Regardless, I realized that I had to develop a hook, line and sinker technique where I somehow got their interest long enough. I went back to a commercial center to find some people at bars (maybe?) (even though it's Ramadan) and did indeed find more people idling there. I approached one man who seemed nice. I started my formula, and he seemed to quickly lose interest, so I added, "Je suis un chercheur américain." BAM! Success. "Vous-êtes américain?" That piqued his interest. So, I sat down and did an interview style survey with him. Things went well. After it was over, with me practically hyperventilating, I went forth to find my next victim.
I found a woman seated in a café. I wasn't sure how to approach her, so I just asked the question, but with some reservation. Apparently I'm cute enough, because she said simply "Dites-moi" and I then began my "I'm an American researcher"spiel which seems to work so well. And, oh, did it ever (work so well). Not only did she take my survey, she gave me a glass of water, and a croissant for free. !!
I then wandered some more, finding a man staring at me strangely in the commercial center. Well, I asked him if he wanted to take the survey. This one was difficult because he seemed interested, but French was definitely not his language. I'm not sure how valuable his responses were.
Finally, I found a man in a white robe (Gandalf) and he responded well to my survey, and I even got to show him that I knew how to write Arabic, etc. (I'd like to think of these as halfway between survey and interview [the ethno-survey]).
After that, I said to myself I couldn't take anymore, it was too overwhelming. So, I made my way back home only to change my mind and head to Figuerolles to see how my luck fared there.
Much more happenings were happening at Figuerolles, but most people appeared preoccupied. I went over to my favorite little bar area where the old men sit, and saw some particularly bored looking gentlemen. I went up to them and began to ask, providing the hook "Can I ask you some questions?" Then, the line after he says "For what?": "Well, you see, I'm an American researcher and..." And finally, the sinker: "Does it take our name and address?" "No." "Okay we'll take it."
Therein I got two more responses, and could have gotten more (but I didn't want to sacrifice the quality of the data and get too much from the same group of gentlemen outside a café). These men were quite nice, and I discussed at length some of the issues surrounding French immigration, the obtaining of visas, and the like.
All in all, a good day. One thing I noticed: people are generally pretty nice. Another thing: Ramadan desserts attract bees like CRAZY. OH MY GOD. I have never seen so many bees around food and no one care. I suppose they are drenched in honey.
I also bought mint and some of the aforementioned Ramadan desserts. Yummy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)