Symbolic Interactionism

S.I.

This weeks blog post will be focusing on the symbols in symbolic interactionism.  From the lecture we learned that the symbolic meaning is in our minds and is conveyed through acts, words, or object.. or basically symbols of those meanings.  We all know that a green light means go and a red light means stop.  We know that a bicyclist will extend their left arm fully out when they are indicating for a left turn.  Symbolic interactionism is everywhere, even when we don't realize it at the time.

I have two new meaning to symbolic interactionism.  

#1.  As you all know, in England, they drive on the opposite side of the car and the opposite side of the road than we do in America.  I do not know why but I have not been able to grasp the concept of the opposite side of oncoming traffic when I am crossing the street and never seem to look the right way.  My first time in London I was so excited to see that I, clearly, was not the only person who got confused as on every pedestrian crossing they have an arrow pointing to which direction you need to look for cars before crossing. 

(This & my husband holding my hand has saved me!) 

#2.  The second symbol in symbolic interactionism that is new and dear to me is the symbol of marriage through wearing wedding bands.  As I mentioned in my first blog I am a newlywed. (About a week and a half now!)  So being able to symbolize our marriage by showing our wedding rings was very excited for both me and my husband.  You can wear a ring on any finger that means absolutely nothing to the majority of the world, but in many (not all) cultures a wedding band on the left hand ring finger symbolizes that you are off the market and happily married ;)  This is a great example that symbols can be applied across many different cultures and that they give off very important information to others. 

(Our wedding bands!)