"The Golden Arches"

I've finally figured out how McDonald's made a name for itself in America. The everlasting fast pace lifestyle of Americans helps McDonald's stay alive. The quick and easy fulfilment of a meal brings people to this food joint each and everyday for all three meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When sitting down and observing the environment around me it was easy to see that many people were in a rush and were not here for a good well prepared meal, like they would be at a five-star restaurant.

The first thing that caught my attention when walking into the fast food restaurant (McDonald's), was the man holding the door for Katie and I. Although he was being courteous the look in his eye said, "hurry up, i don't have all day to stand here for you and you better say thank you." Of coarse the common thing to do was to say thank you and I did so just as I returned the favor by opening the door for an elderly lady walking out. This moment is when I first got the impression that everyone one was in a rush. My assumption was soon to be confirmed as we took a seat at one of the tables and started to look around.

As I glanced at the counter where people were placing orders my mind was constantly getting interrupted by a ear piercing noise. Not knowing what it was I kept looking around until a little flashing light caught my attention. I quickly noticed that as the beep would pierce my ears the light would also light up without missing a beat. After a few seconds I realized that this noise was the screen that orders popped up on after people decided what they wanted. The next noise that I noticed was the sound of chairs moving back and forth across the tile floor as people got up to leave or get condiments. A confusing sound of a conversation between two Hispanics sitting closely to us made me realize that this was also a fast lunch stop for workers. These workers were quickly shoving food into their mouths while trying to have a conversation during their lunch break. Another man was on his laptop trying to finish up some work while eating so that he could get off early and spend some time with his family. While money is flowing in and out of the register, i sit and think about how fast everything is moving. The shuffling of feet and chairs is constant, the production of food is continuous, and the conversation between everyone is never ending, except in between bites.

This chain of events is never ending. People continue to come in and out along with the workers. Until I sat down and took the time to observe this place I didn't get the same feeling that I do now. Now that I came in to McDonald's looking to see what is going on, instead of getting my own quick meal; I realize how hectic and none stop the American lifestyle is. The events in this fast food restaurant are independent but the speed and nature of them, greatly reflect upon many American lives.