>[!abstract] >A sociological perspective that analyzes micro-sociological accounts of everyday social interactions through the analogy of performativity and theatrical dramaturgy, dividing such interactions between "actors", "audience" members, and various "front" and "back" stages treats human interactions as theatrical performances, where the individual attempts to control or guide the impression that others might make of him by changing or fixing his or her setting, appearance, and manner. > >The theatrical metaphor can be seen in the origins of the word person, which comes from the Latin persona, meaning "a mask worn by actors". One behaves differently (*plays different roles*) in front of different people (*audiences*). A person picks out clothing (*a costume*) that is consistent with the image they wish to project. They enlist the help of friends, caterers, and decorators (*fellow actors and stage crew*) to help them successfully “stage” a dinner for a friend, a birthday party for a relative, or a gala for a fundraiser. If they need to adjust their clothing or wish to say something unflattering about one of their guests, they are careful to do so out of sight of others (*backstage*). One's presentation of oneself to others is known as dramaturgy. (Wikipedia, 2024). >[!quote] "Restaurants illustrate the point. Dishes prepared in the clatter, breakage, and yelling of an overheated kitchen appear in the public area as flawless arrangements on spotless plates, delivered by dapper murmuring waiters. A great deal of intellectual work is like this." ([[Derbyshire, 2003]]) >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): — >- **West** (similar): — >- **East** (different): — >- **South** (downstream): —