McDonaldization
The car wash industry is one sector of society that has become dominated by the fouraspects of McDonaldization. In many cases, these four aspects are easier to point out inthe car washing industry than they are in the fast-food industry that George Ritzerexplored. 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 reachingan end (40). The car wash industry is a good example of an aspect of our society that isdominated by this principle of McDonaldization. Perhaps the most obvious example ofefficiency in the car washing industry is the use of the conveyorized car wash. Both thecar wash I formally worked at and the two car washes described in the articles use aconveyorized system of washing cars, in which cars are placed on a moving belt that goesthrough spraying water and moving bristles. This is a much more efficient method ofcleaning cars than acutally hand washing the cars at home. It takes much less time andeffort. Another example of efficiency, according to the article on the Scrubadub AutoWash, is the use of recycled water. This helps to preserve tons of gallons of water
George Ritzer also mentions thatgetting people in and out is a form of efficiency (43). George Ritzer says that predictability is knowing what toexpect 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 coffeeshop inside in order to make customers use the wash. Car washes also have a high costassociated with them, which is another aspect that Ritzer mentions (126). Likewise, the customers are forced to go through the same predictable manners each timethey come to the wash. The metalchairs and limited room in the lobby also provide for an undesirable environment inwhich to stay at the Autospa. Many aspects of society that fall under the principlesof McDonaldization give the illusion of efficiency and reality (Ritzer 126). According toGeorge Ritzer, the impact of the computer is largely responsible for the calculability ofsociety today (63). The control of customers thatGeoge Ritzer describes is also present in the car wash industry (113). At the Autospa, the mostadvertised wash they had was called "The Works". This is very similar to the automatic cut off for drink dispensers infast-food restaurants (Ritzer 106). I was one ofabout five employees that stayed there for nearly a year. Ritzer mentions that McDonald's employees have very strictstandards in which they must abide by (92). This is also true for the Autospa, Autobell,and Scrubadub Auto Wash.
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Acceptance Essays
