II. SEVEN SOCIABLE CONVENTIONS - Tending the Parish

Tending the Parish. Parties were often given to bring together people from the same membership group – work group, school group, network, organization, community, or other collective enterprise. (I shall use the terms “group” or “parish” to mean any face-to-face collective unit.) Parties might occur on an occasional basis, or they might be a regular part of the weekly, monthly, or yearly schedule of the group. We have called them parochial, to emphasize the way in which, under this convention, conversation was restricted to the concerns of the parish.

Parochial parties affirmed the articles of faith held by the group, and explored matters of concern to the group. Insiders at such a party could engage in gossip and shop-talk. There might be exchange of information and opinion about distant part of the parish. Outsiders were excluded, unless they could show themselves able to take part in the rituals of the group. A person was of interest only in the context of his or her role. A committed member of the parish would enjoy parochial parties, while an outsider would find them dull.

Parochial sociability served to maintain the boundaries of the group, demonstrating who was included and who was excluded. Also, conversation made clear the position of the parish in relation to outsiders: who were allies, who were antagonists.

Parochial parties might include “visiting firemen”, entertainment, games, or other stimuli to a change of focus. Insofar as they served to maintain identity, it was the identity of the group that was affirmed.

Example: Tending the parish.

A mathematician accompanied me to a party of sociologists. He was asked repeatedly whether he was interested in mathematics for the social sciences. When he said no, the conversation came to an end: there was nothing more for them to talk about.

© 2010 Jeanne Watson Eisenstadt. All Rights Reserved
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