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The beautiful in the commonplace

University of Oslo, astrid.skatvedt{at}sosiologi.uio.no

Kirsten Costain Schou

University of Oslo

During fieldwork in a rehabilitation institution for drug abusers, I ¹ became aware that certain, apparently commonplace, informal interaction situations between residents and staff appeared to constitute emotionally moving and identity-constructing situations which apparently had a great impact on the residents. These situations seem, on the surface, to be trivial, minor, superficial and very common. Still, and perhaps because of their 'smallness , they show qualities that suggest authentic interaction, immediate and unfeigned, by participants. This article draws upon an analysis of what I have called 'love-bearing interaction situations (Skatvedt, 2001) and connects this with theoretical insights drawn from the work of Erving Goffman and Johan Asplund, and from Howard Becker s labelling theory.² Of particular interest is a notion touched upon by Goffman, namely, the expression of love in commonplace interaction.

Key Words: commonplace interaction • emotions • Goffman • identity • labelling • relations • social encounters

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