1. Shoe Repair as a Professional Culture Presentation By: Michael Giulietti University of North Texas Department of Anthropology Presented at the 71 st annual Society for Applied Anthropology Meeting Old Ideas for a New World:

2. Introduction: Definition: A professional culture is a group that is linked by a common occupation. Problems: i.Loss of “culture shock.” ii.Individuals may have multiple occupations. Research goal: To provide a framework for the study of professional cultures and to apply it towards an introduction of the professional culture of shoe repair.

3. Methods: In-Shop Participant Observation Semi-structured interview Eight stores participated with 17 informants SSIA Convention - Oklahoma Semi-structured interview Twenty interviews were conducted with 28 informants

4. Framework for Study Culture is found in common: 1.Learning processes 2.Shared and symbolic patterns 3.Adaptations to environment Framework modified from Jordan 2002

5. Chief Characteristics 5000 shops remaining 2 person shop is average (Dun & Bradstreet, 2001) 10% of Americans repair Service based skilled labor. Traditional knowledge

6. Learning Processes Cultures are learned; what is the learning process? 1) Observe 2) Assisting the master 3) Polish 4) Removing and replacing soles & heels 5) Complicated stitching. Altered from JTAC Inc ©

7. Shared\Symbolic Patterns Common goals – “To return the product to its original condition or as close to it as possible.” Common assumptions – Assumptions about broader society Image from SSIA (http://www.ssia.info/images/random/consumer8.gif) Image from (http://marathonrunningshoes.com/tag/garbage/)

8. Shared\Symbolic Patterns Common values

9. Shared\Symbolic Patterns Common behaviors and norms Boxes of materials – Symbolic Betrayal “In my industry, people help each other… you don’t do that to people!” ~ Isaac, 3 rd generation repairman

10. Shared\Symbolic Characteristics Artifacts as symbols – Jack, cobbler’s hammer, K-stitcher Events as symbols – Cultural reification Image from SSIA (http://www.ssia.info/images/silvercup5.jpg)

11. Adaptation How do cultures adapt to their common environment? Altered from JTAC Inc ©

12. Conclusion & Future Research A connection between Shoe repair and Ecological Anthropology? Symbolism in material artifacts

13. References Dun & Bradstreet, (2001) SIC 7251 for Shoe and Boot Repair (Excludes Shoe Shine Parlors) Douglas, M., & Isherwood, B. (1979). The World of Goods (1st ed.). Routledge. Jordan, A. T. (2002). Business Anthropology. Waveland Press. Keller, C. M., & Keller, J. D. (2008). Cognition and Tool Use: The Blacksmith at Work. Lave & Wenger, (1991). Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation (1st ed.). Cambridge University Press Hicks, C. (2004). An Historical Perspective 1904 - 2004. CK1 Productions. Acknowledgements: Dr. Jordan and Dr. Davenport of UNT for their guidance in this project, The McNair Baccalaureate Achievement Program, and my research participants.