Affordances

An affordance can be defined as the “quality of an object, or an environment, which allows an individual to perform an action” ("Affordance", 2011) It can also be defined as “a visual clue to the function of an object” ("Affordance Definition", 2011). Many definitions for the word ‘affordance’ have developed over the years and these are just two examples that I have chosen that fit to the discussions we have had around affordances this semester. When you break it down and get to the heart of it, affordances are really just what the activity brings about. In class, we broke down affordances into three sections and used these to analyse our activities. These were: communication, connections and the good and bad aspects.

Going out for coffee provides the perfect occasion for communication. This week, as detailed in the story below, my activity gave me the opportunity to catch up with friends by sharing and talking about what we had all been up to. We also laughed and joked together, advised each other on things we were struggling with and made plans for the summer holidays. Through our conversations the caring nature we had towards each other was displayed and it made us all realize how grateful we were to have the time to catch up together. In my opinion, some of the best and most meaningful conversations take place over cups of coffee.

This weeks outing also gave us the chance to connect and continue to bond as friends. It also provided the opportunity to create new memories together and grow in our relationships with each other. This in turn gave us all a sense of belonging, knowing that we were a part of a good group of friends. When we’re talking about connections, we’re also talking about how one activity leads to the next. This date (as well as a lot of coffee dates), lead to making future plans to meet together for another date next time we were all home at the same time.

The good and bad aspects of this activity could work out to be a lengthy list, so I have just pulled out a few keys aspects to keep it short and sweet. Some of the good aspects of this activity include that it gives people time out, it can be relaxing, coffee tastes nice and is satisfying and that it can happen almost anytime at any place (restaurant or café that is). Some of the bad aspects of this activity include that coffee can be addicting and unhealthy if you have too much. Also, most of the people I go out with are students with little money so we all have to be careful about what we spend and a few coffees a week add up pretty quickly.

When looking at affordances and after having coffee with close friends this week it reminded me of a certain TV show where a group of friends meet together to have coffee on a regular basis. ‘Friends’ is a TV show that I’m sure many of us all know and love. At some point throughout nearly every episode of this TV series the core members of the cast are shown in their local coffee house ‘Central Perk’ as it is one of the main settings in the show. Here, they drink coffee, chat, argue, work, meet others, and make plans as well as other activities. Ultimately, however, they just spend time together drinking coffee.

“Phoebe: I'm going to get a coffee. Anybody want anything? 


Monica: I'll have a latte. 


Ross: I'll have a blueberry muffin, with a decaf. 


Chandler: I'll have a bagel with a little- 


Phoebe: You know I was just being polite!” (“Friends Quotes”, 2004).

All these scenes in friends illustrate perfectly how going out for coffee can be a time for many different things. In particular, the characters show how coffee can be a time to just get together and have a laugh, a time to help solve each other’s problems, a time to reflect on the past and a time to make plans and look forward to the future. They are all such good friends at times they don’t even have to talk, they can just sit there and enjoy each others company whilst reading the paper or doing other things, they are still connecting, however, as they are spending time doing the activity together. Throughout all of the ‘Central Perk’ scenes one thing is evident, how going out for coffee is an expected and routine part of their friendship. Over the years, the group of six have spent so much time having coffee at this place that it goes without saying that this is where they plan to go in the very last scene of the final episode of the show.

 “Rachel: Do you guys have to go to the new house right away or do you have some time?

Monica: We've got some time.

Rachel: Ok, should we get some coffee?

Chandler: Sure. Where?” (“Memorable Quotes”, 2004).

So, as you can see, going out for coffee provides the opportunity for more than just drinking the coffee itself! Over the next few weeks I will continue to break this activity down and draw out more of what going out for coffee provides us with as well as more of what it means to me!

References:

Affordance. (2011). Retrieved October 12, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affordances

Affordance Definition. (2011) Retrieved October 12, 2011, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/affordance

Friends Quotes. (2004). Retrieved October 18^th 2011, from http://www.livesinabox.com/friends/quote.shtml

Memorable Quotes for Friends (2004). Retrieved October 17^th, 2011, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583434/quotes