Torsello, Davide - Pappová, Melinda: Social Networks in Movement. Time, interaction and interethnic spaces in Central Eastern Europe - Nostra Tempora 8. (Somorja-Dunaszerdahely, 2003)
Time and social networks
86 Davide Torsello Sztompka, P. (1999), Trust: A Sociological Theory. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 1 In Slovak Kráľová nad Váhom. I conducted fieldwork in the village as part of my PhD research program at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Halle/Saale. 2 These include the village mayor, the vice-mayor, the two accountants and the two clerks who all work in the municipal office. 3 This is intended here as the complex of people residing in one household and their offspring who do not reside in the household. 4 However, people seem to emphasize the importance of their relation to the state even though they do not identify this with specific personalities as they did during socialism. The state has become an increasingly abstract entity. To the question “In your opinion, who do you think could help improve your economic situation?“ 74 percent of respondents indicated the state. However, when I asked them who could help the village to improve its present conditions, there was little indication that politicians or local officials could do anything at all. Mistrust pervades the sphere of individual-institution interactions and it appears that this tendency is particularly strong when it is not possible to personalize institutions. 5 Colby (1967) states that mistrust is one of the reasons for the proliferation of complex etiquette in Mesoamerican Indian cultures. He maintains that etiquette brings in a certain amount of social control in situations where trust must be established. Etiquette reduces anxiety because it structures behaviour in a predictable way for the purpose of establishing what he defines as social exchange. 6 The village festival (búcsú), a semi-religious event common to ail the communities of the region is held on the 19th of November. It is still one of the most important collective events in the community. Held on the day of St. Elisabeth, this custom was never abandoned, even under socialism. The day, marked by a morning religious function, provides an occasion for non-village relatives to visit Királyfa. Village families prepare special food (duck meat and different sorts of cakes) in quantities that can be shared by guests and even taken home upon their return. Families and their relatives remain together ail day and the village organizes entertainment for children (a fun-fair) and adults as well as an evening cultural show.
