Think about things that we, as Americans, want in today’s culture. There are two things that come to my mind: we want to spend the least money possible, instant gratification, and to be treated with respect. Theoretically, what better gives us those three things than a fast food restaurant? These places are the epitome of the American way of life. They have always had the cheapest meals available, the fastest possible fix to our ever-growing appetites, and the optimal friendly customer service. However, things are starting to drastically change.
If you don’t feel like cooking and you are on a college budget, places like Wendy’s, McDonald’s, or Burger King are the ideal places to go. Though we might want something a little more healthy or enjoyable than these fattening foods, the low prices of these fast food places allow us to look past our more expensive desires. However, the prices at these establishments are steadily rising. I remember when I could get a burger, fries, and a Coke for about four dollars. Now, I spend over seven dollars to get the same thing. For what I am spending on fast food greasiness, I could sit down at Applebees or Chili’s and eat something that has actual taste and is a little more healthy.
Strike one.
I also remember when I could walk into a fast food restaurant, order my food, and it would be in my hand in no more than two minutes. Sometimes it still happens, but these restaurants seem to have generally lost sight of their sole purpose: to be FAST. Nothing annoys me more than having to pull up and wait on my food in a drive-thru. I know that there are a lot of customers, but it is your job to get my food to me as fast as possible. Anyone who has ever gone to a fast food place in Oxford knows exactly what I am talking about.
Strike two.
I am a very social person. I love to talk to people, even if I have no clue who they are. As could be expected, I always try to make small conversation with people that work at fast food restaurants. Nothing big, just a, “Hi, how are you today?” I can recall several times in the past that the employees would respond with a warm response and a friendly manner. I’d be damned if I was ever treated like that in fast food restaurants today. Most of the people that work at these places seem to have no social skills. The least they could do is pretend that they actually enjoy life. Just a LITTLE personality would do. And when you give me my food, at least tell me to enjoy my meal or have a nice day. Instead, I have to worry about you going in the bathroom and killing yourself because that’s the vibe you just gave me. Friendly customer service should still be a main goal of these establishments, and I just do not understand why I can’t get it.
Strike three.
Basically, the three things that Americans want and expect from fast food restaurants are not happening. The prices are steadily rising, making it pointless to waste money on unhealthy, worse-tasting food. The speediness of getting the food is sinking to an all-time slow rate. The friendly customer service is almost always nonexistent. There is almost no point in even spending my money on these places anymore. If this kind of nonsense continues, they will no longer be put up with by Americans. If nothing else, we Americans will get what we want no matter what. It will truly be interesting to behold the future of fast food restaurants in America.
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