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Positioning the Participant Observer

An Exploration of the Shifting Roles of the Observer in a Lap-dancing Club Setting

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Kleine Geheimnisse

Abstract

The opening extracts are taken from the field diaries of two ethnographic studies; the first study explored lap-dancing culture and the relationships between lap-dancers (Colosi 2010b); the second, was a British Academy study, which examined the experiences and motivations of lap-dancing club customers. Both were studied and written about within a UK context. The first field diary extract refers to my positionality as an auto-ethnographer; this particular extract reflects upon my dual identity as both ‘erotic dancer’ and ‘researcher’. This auto-ethnographic approach provided me with exceptional insight into the occupational (sub)culture of lap-dancers (see Colosi 2010a). Before embarking on this study I had worked in ‘Starlets’ (the lap-dancing club where my fieldwork was based) for almost two years; this positioned me as an ‘insider’.

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Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. Rachela Colosi
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    Editors and Affiliations

    1. Kassel, Germany

      Heinz Bude

    2. Kassel, Hessen, Germany

      Michael Dellwing

    3. Brandon, USA

      Scott Grills

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    Colosi, R. (2015). Positioning the Participant Observer. In: Bude, H., Dellwing, M., Grills, S. (eds) Kleine Geheimnisse. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-00487-3_7

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-00487-3_7

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    • Print ISBN: 978-3-658-00486-6

    • Online ISBN: 978-3-658-00487-3

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