Subjects:
aspects of McDonaldization. In many cases, these four aspects are easier to point out in
the car washing industry than they are in the fast-food industry that George Ritzer
explored. Nearly all areas of society seem to be in some way affected by the different
According to George Ritzer, efficiency is the quickest and easiest way to reaching
an end (40). The car wash industry is a good example of an aspect of our society that is
dominated by this principle of McDonaldization. Perhaps the most obvious example of
efficiency in the car washing industry is the use of the conveyorized car wash. Both the
car wash I formally worked at and the two car washes described in the articles use a
conveyorized system of washing cars, in which cars are placed on a moving belt that goes
through spraying water and moving bristles. This is a much more efficient method of
cleaning cars than acutally hand washing the cars at home. It takes much less time and
effort. Another example of efficiency, according to the article on the Scrubadub Auto
Wash, is the use of recycled water. This helps to preserve tons of gallons of water
. . .
getting people in and out is a form of efficiency (43). George Ritzer says that predictability is knowing what to
expect at all times (83). The Autospa has the same limited menu of a few car washes all the time. The Carolina Springs Autospa has a small coffee
shop inside in order to make customers use the wash. Car washes also have a high cost
associated with them, which is another aspect that Ritzer mentions (126).
Likewise, the customers are forced to go through the same predictable manners each time
they come to the wash. The metal
chairs and limited room in the lobby also provide for an undesirable environment in
which to stay at the Autospa. Many aspects of society that fall under the principles
of McDonaldization give the illusion of efficiency and reality (Ritzer 126). According to
George Ritzer, the impact of the computer is largely responsible for the calculability of
society today (63). The control of customers that
Geoge Ritzer describes is also present in the car wash industry (113). At the Autospa, the most
advertised wash they had was called “The Works”. This is very similar to the automatic cut off for drink dispensers in
fast-food restaurants (Ritzer 106). I was one of
about five employees that stayed there for nearly a year. Ritzer mentions that McDonald’s employees have very strict
standards in which they must abide by (92). This is also true for the Autospa, Autobell,
and Scrubadub Auto Wash.
Essay's Topics
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