Every person is a part of larger and smaller societies. There is no single person who completely acts without some sort of authority imposed upon them or around them. Humans are by nature social, and so they form many mini-societies within their larger social spectrum. For example, a town community holding a school society or a drama society within a school. Here’s a look at a few of the many formed around some of Scituate’s youth.

A single individual can be a part of innumerable societies. Anything from a work place, to a social club or gathering, to family or cultural meetings, all are a part of social order. This means that actions and speech are affected by what is accepted as good or appropriate behavior. Through this a society is formed. The ease with which this occurs makes it possible for behaviors unaccepted in normal society plausible in smaller ones. This of course, makes for some hilarious situations.

Take the Village Market, endearingly called “V-mart” by its many employees.  This one place holds at least as many societies as departments. First, the young cashiers. Register is a place where all your worst nightmares come true. Everyone there has faced the wrath of a half blind old person who thought the tomatoes where two cents less, and lord if they don’t get it, they may have a stroke right there in front of you. But that’s all right. Register employees are united by their dislike of working, and if you aren’t hearing them complain, then there is probably something wrong.  They especially love it when you tell them what a beautiful day it is when they are stuck inside working all day. They will positively beam at you. But working register isn’t all bad. Rebecca Foote said, “Some people are really interesting and brighten up your day.”

Then there are the stocking departments, the bakery, and the deli. All present slightly different social behaviors. There are the mostly male societies that spend their time in the back laughing loudly and making funny innuendos.  One of their latest pranks is behind the black swinging doors that normal customers can’t pass. But if you look close enough you may see her, and be half frightened to death. She is a cardboard cutout of a poster woman lovingly called “Heidi.” At one time her home had been atop the wine isle pointing the way to the alcohol. But they saved her from the clutches of the trash and now there she stays. If anyone were to damage her, or try to take her away, they would likely be ostracized by this peculiar group of people.

What about drama club? When don’t you hear about the current cat fights or who’s who of artistic potential? Surely ‘she didn’t deserve that part’ is something blasted the day after roles are announced.  So what makes drama club kids so dramatic? Well the club is designed to attract those of a certain personality type. Since so many of them come together, their shared behaviors, which happen to be competition, arise and become accepted.  Then again who’s complaining? Maybe it makes for a better show. Junior  Briana Trifiero said, “There is alot of drama but it makes for a good show.”  These accepted behaviors are the basis of most clubs or school activities.

Classroom societies are also quite different, as seen in the chorus room. Anyone who has ever been a part of the music program can tell that this is the one place where school accepted indifference can be cast out. In here it isn’t cool to pretend to be some macho-man. Take the entire Bass’s obvious bromance.  Kaylee Mahoney said, “they are practically falling off each other.”

Previously low-key quiet students come out of their shell. Last year bubbles started flying from the tenor section. Low and behold there was junior Carter Kupchella quietly blowing them across the room.  It is obvious this society is formed around Mr. Richter and Vicky.  Their unique love of music and ability to care unconditionally about their students creates a magnificent sense of ease in the classroom. Mahoney concluded that “they aren’t like most teachers. They know their students really well.”

Certainly every class has its unique feel. Every work place has a different set of expectations.  Clubs form from groups of specific kinds of people. All intermix within Scituate High. Next time you find yourself in a social situation, take a look at the behaviors of your peers. Think about what is different between that experience and others. When we compare why we act the way we do with other people, we can see how society affects us. And when you see this, it begs the question. Are we really all that different, or just a compilation of the different societies we are a part of? Do we make the societies by our individualistic qualities, or are these qualities simply a product of the social behaviors expected of us?