24 Hours at the Golden Apple

This broadcast opened the door for me to see how such different people can come to a common place and mix. I found this experiment to be particularly interesting since I have always considered myself a “people watcher”. What this broadcast helps us to understand is although people come from such different backgrounds, ages, interests, and careers they all come to this same place for comfort. I think these people are what shape this public space, with out the stories or personalities it would seem empty. It is the character and actions of these people that control the way a public space like this runs and moves from hour to hour. Donna for example has been working at this diner for 26 years, a beautiful mother of three works the night shift I believe for the specific reason of being around these people. Donna being a single mom needed to work the night shift but I think she finds comfort in helping to take care of these people. Bringing cookies for the homeless on Christmas Eve, going to local shows to watch patrons perform, helping a man to read his mail when he does not understand, this may be an extension of taking care of her kids at home, it is what she loves to do. In addition these same customers come to this quaint family restaurant in search of her. The find the same comfort in her that she searches for in them.

Even the young friends that come there to meet boys, they are adding a young, carefree feeling to this type of place. Eddy the harmonica player adds a small amount of happiness as he puts a smile on a face or two in the early morning hours. The older people who frequent the Golden Apple educate us about the changes over the decades, and they also remind us of how much society has changed. Kay the older woman lived here all her life, her story teaches us how much things have changed from the real estate to the changing views of gay people. She also reminds us that racial lines still exist, or at least in the minds of those around her, and quite possibly herself. All these situations add to the ambiance of a restaurant. Without the voices and stories it is just another place.


I do not think that Applebee’s or Chevy’s even remotely compare to the Golden Apple by far. It is very rare in this day and time to find that kind of personal treatment, and family feel. The strange thing is that the same people can frequent a place like Applebee’s but it isn’t the same as when you walk into a place like the Golden Apple. The Golden Apple is a place that makes people feel comfortable; I think it begins with the owner and the staff. Then I believe it trickles down and draws in the same good people. The fact that this restaurant has been there for so long and stays open all night serving all types of people, it attracts the same people too. It speaks very strong that in this broadcast we learn that ¾ of the customers are regular customers that some on a daily basis. They even come up to 2-3 times a day, and often times stay for hours. In the conversation with the cops they are even comparing the establishment to Mel’s Diner; I think it was a great comparison. I also found it interesting that one of the cops remembered all the names of the patrons, and the waitress, however got the name of the place wrong by calling it the "Golden Pancake". This proves, in my opinion, that most people come for the company and service. I really enjoyed listening to this broadcast and think it was such a great experiment. One could learn more about people from listening to that then studying people in books for years!