Posted by TJResearcher on March 21, 2001 at 13:39:23:
In Reply to: Re: Update and more questions! posted by gaucho on March 21, 2001 at 13:05:06:
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Its been pretty informal, its kind of like "hanging out" for long periods of time. During the day, I sometimes go by myself to Zona Norte and the Rev. area, at night, I always go with an escort (my 50+ year old neighbor who acts as my bodyguard, brother, date, whatever is needed when a difficult situation arises). I sit around and take mental or written notes, draw maps, do head counts, I talk to people, I try to blend in, I drink/carouse/meet people. I ask locals where they're from, how long they've lived here, if they like it here, why or why not, what they do, how much money they make, what their plans are. I talk to patrons, cabbies, waiters/waitresses, hustlers. This next month I'm going to start talking to bouncers, bar managers or owners - and I'm going to start attending the sex workers union meetings (they meet every week) as soon as possible (I've had some trouble getting my university contacts to obtain permission for me to go - I'm now feeling desperate enough to just go up and ask a street girl for help on this). I'm trying to do as much footwork as I can before I do my formal interviews with sex workers. I look at the social action going on around me, try to learn appropriate ettiquette in talking about touchy/sexy subjects to mexicanos. I don't want to look like a complete idiot when I start asking them questions :) I also learn a lot just hanging out in my neighborhood and spending time with neighbors or taking my daily walks. I meet with people from universities and non-profit groups and grill them about everything they know. I go to other towns/cities for comparison (Rosarito, Ensenada, Tecate). I go to conferences and meet people who do similar work in other areas and compare notes. Basically, I'm building familiarity with as many aspects of the industry as I can in order to generate informed questions. |
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