I chose to observe social interactions on Carbon Beach, which is located in Malibu, Los Angeles, California. I can properly socially distance while observing from the balcony of the condominium where I am staying. This location is particularly interesting to me since the balcony is centered on the beach adjacent to Nobu Restaurant, Soho House, and Malibu Pier. There always seems to be is a plethora of interesting people on the beach.
While conducting my observation, some of the key people or groups I observed are as follows:
I. I observed a film crew shooting a scene for a TV commercial or perhaps a movie. The filming was taking place both in the water and on the beach. I counted twenty-five people involved in the shoot, led by a man who looks to be in his 30’s and appears to be the Director of the shoot. He is giving instructions to the actress, camera team, and various crew members. While the filming is happening, there are random people on the beach trying to pass from one way to the other. I did not observe anyone wearing a mask or social distancing. Many of them are holding and drinking bottled water that is being passed around to the cast and crew members.
II. Two large muscular men are standing as security for the film crew acting as crowd control. Both appear to be in their 30’s and tall. Most people on the beach seem preoccupied with their activities and are not lingering.
III. Two men in their 20’s are about 100 yards offshore standing on paddleboards. One is wearing a black wetsuit and the other is wearing only white boardshorts. One of the men seems to be more experienced than the other and appears to be instructing, whereas the one in the board shorts fell off into the cold water numerous times.
IV. There are two men in their 40’s walking by with a cute white fluffy dog, no leash. One is wearing a sweater and the other is wearing a denim jacket. I overhear them discussing where they will go and grab a bite to eat.
V. Also, located on the same beach is Nobu Restaurant. Many diners are sitting on an outdoor patio deck, and a few of them have wandered onto the beach. Most of them are dressed for fine dining, which is a stark contrast to the other locals wandering up and down the beach.
VI. One of the women who appears to be in her 30’s has entered the beach from Nobu and is carrying her strappy heeled sandals in one hand and a glass of some drink in the other. She is wearing wide-legged black pants and a black top with a sweater draped over her shoulder. She slowly totters over to the water with the help of her male companion who appears to also be in his 30’s to cup water from the ocean and splash it onto her hair long highlighted hair.
VII. I saw an older man in his 60’s wearing a purple pullover and New York Yankees hat. He is throwing a bright green tennis ball to his golden retriever. The dog runs excitedly back and forth bringing the ball to the man.
VIII. I saw 3 teenage girls recording themselves on an iPhone with portable ring lights set up on the sand. There is an older woman, possibly a mom of one of the girls, who is assisting them with the filming. They all are wearing matching Adidas jumpsuits, barefoot and their hair is all pulled back.
IX. I observed a man in his 50’s with a special needs boy (unable to determine age estimate) walking on the beach holding hands. The boy is wearing a red baseball cap and jeans and the older man is wearing a white sweater, khakis, and carrying a black backpack.
X. There are also many yachts of different sizes moored in the ocean; one is approximately seventy feet long with an area in the back that holds jet skis. There appear to be twelve to fifteen people on deck. Some of them are drinking and walking around the boat, while others are lying in the sun. I can faintly hear the music playing on the boat from where I am observing.
XI. One woman is speaking in a foreign language while facetiming and walking on the beach. She is speaking very loudly and excitedly, trying to show the person she is speaking with the beach and the waves.
XII. A woman who appears to be in her 40’s walking by very swiftly, not stopping, just briskly walking and swinging both arms. She is wearing a hooded sweatshirt and leggings, white EarPods, and black aviator sunglasses.
XIII. A man who looks to be in his 40’s is walking with a young boy. They are discussing something and stop to have a chat. From the expression on their faces, they are laughing and then the older man pats the boy on the back.
XIV. Another woman who looks in her 30’s is walking with her child, most likely under the age of two since she appears to be teaching her to walk on the sand. The baby is toddling along and oops the sand has broken her fall. She has gotten up, cried a bit, and then is trying to stand on her own again.
XV. Teenage boy wearing boardshorts, a t-shirt and a backward baseball cap is on a red beach bicycle with massive tires and is riding quickly up and down the beach trying to avoid hitting other people on the beach.
XVI. There is a group of about 4 people, who appear to be a family. They have an orange pup tent set up for shade. The two adults who appear to be in their 30’s are sitting on blue beach chairs. The man and the boy are walking to wade a bit in the water while the little girl sits with the woman looking on. The woman is looking through the cooler and has pulled out a bottle of water as the little girl reaches for a juice box.
XVII. One of the neighbors whom I recognize has come out for her daily run. It’s a tad chilly, but she is running in orange shorts and a matching orange sports bra. She appears to be running the entire length of the beach.
XVIII. Another woman is running now at a much slower pace, but very steady. She is listening to music and wearing sunglasses.
I found this observation to be extremely refreshing. I run or stroll on the beach daily basis, but the observation study allowed me to experience the beach from a completely different perspective and appreciate the various nuances that occur.
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