How My Life Has Been McDonaldized
In the modern world, McDonaldization is almost unavoidable. McDonaldization is the process through which the principles applicable in fast-food establishments become more dominant in more sectors of the society (Basic Ideas of McDonaldization, n. d.). This paper explores how McDonaldization is evident in my life in the areas of shopping, education, communication, and transport, among others.
There are four principles of McDonaldization. One of them is efficiency. This principle entails reaching a specific end very fast with the least amount of effort or cost (Basic Ideas of McDonaldization, n. d.). I enjoy the efficiency that comes with automation. For instance, I prefer the self-checkouts every time I go shopping for my groceries. Additionally, I can use an app to order for various commodities and provide directions to my house. This approach enables me to get what I need more effectively and at the least possible cost. At the same time, I prefer self-service stations when I am buying gas. The other principle of McDonaldization is calculability. This principle focuses on the emphasis on things being quantifiable. For instance, distance is far more important when it comes to paying for Uber service. Also, I have found out that the higher the number of pizzas I buy the cheaper the price. Predictability is the other principle of McDonaldization. This principle entails the environment being structured in a way that avoids surprises and differentness (Basic Ideas of McDonaldization, n. d.). For instance, all the gas stations owned by one company looks the same in all towns.
The McDonaldization of my life has resulted in my dehumanization. I am a social being which means that I would prefer to talk to the person who is serving me, for instance, when I am buying gas. However, this is not usually possible with self-service stations. Sometimes I feel that various establishments are only interested in my money as opposed to me as an individual. Additionally, I often feel like I am living in an iron cage. In the education system that I have been subjected to throughout my academic journey, there are only a few expected results. The results of the tests are standardized. This means that I rarely have control over the answers that I give since I have to provide only the ones the instructor expects. For this reason, I sometimes feel like I am being treated like an empty vessel to be filled by pre-determined information. The last principle entails control. Under McDonaldization, organizations and establishments try as much as possible to control the behavior of the customers (Basic Ideas of McDonaldization, n. d.). This may occur through the deskilling of the workforce or automation. For instance, I cannot spend like five minutes in a petrol station talking to the service person.
McDonaldization applies the principle of rationalization, which entails replacing the logical rules that govern the society with rather illogical ones (Basic Ideas of McDonaldization, n. d.). Many benefits come with McDonaldization. For instance, ATMs help me to get fast and round-the-clock banking services. Also, online shopping saves me time and money since I do not need to stop going to school or work just because I want to buy certain commodities. However, I prefer talking to my friends, acquaintances and relatives face-to-face. However, this may not be possible since most of these persons prefer to chat online. Also, these persons are busy with school or work and rarely do they have time for in-person interactions. Additionally, shopping has always been family time. As such, shopping is not just about getting the goods one need but also facilitating friends or family to spend quality time with each other.
In conclusion, every realm of society has been McDonaldized. McDonaldization is evident in the hospitality, education, transport, and banking sectors, among others. In this paper, I have demonstrated how various aspects of the McDonaldization theory apply to me as well as the benefits and detriments that I have experienced as a result of my world being made to operate in the same way as the fast-food establishments.