Reflexions Sur un Terrain Particulier: La Vente de Garage (Carnet de Notes / Notebook) (Sociological Research on Garage Sales in Quebec, Canada‪)‬

S'appuyant sur un terrain mene depuis plus de trois ans dans differentes villes du Quebec, cette note de recherche presente les reflexions de Genevieve St-Jacques Theriault sur le phenomene des ventes de garage. Son projet de maitrise, entame depuis septembre 2003, vise a comprendre ce que cette activite represente pour les participants, ainsi que les valeurs qui se degagent de cette pratique. Differents concepts utiles a l'etude de ce phenomene seront abordes: la forme festive et rituelle, l'economie informelle, le jeu et, finalement, les interactions presentes lors de cette activite. Il sera finalement question du marchandage, interaction qui met en place des preoccupations rituelles, economiques et ludiques. Based on fieldwork conducted over the last three years in several cities across Quebec, this research note presents the ideas of Genevieve St-Jacques Theriault regarding the garage sale phenomenon. Her Master's degree project, begun in September 2003, aims to understand what the activity represents for participants and the values that arise from this practice. A number of useful concepts that are part of this study will be discussed: the festive and ritual aspect, the informal economy, the "game", and the interactions that are part of the activity. It is, in the end, all about the art of haggling, which is an interaction that incorporates ritual, economic and leisure concerns.