Do You Agree That “fast Food” Has Become a Metaphor for Today’ssociety?

1. Do you agree that “Fast food” has become a metaphor for today’ssociety?

Has the growth of fast food been both a symptom and catalyst of larger economic trends?

Ans.: Yes Fast Food has indeed become synonymous with today’s society.  The society we now live in is a fast paced one. People don’t prefer staying back at home. Men and women both prefer working and earn livelihood for their family.

Fast Food happens to be “easy” or “convenient” food for them.  They tend to pick up burgers, pizzas, wraps, rolls etc. from the fast food joints to save time and enjoy the flavours the joints put in those food items. It’s more of a routine now for the people in today’s society particularly in urban areas.

The growing economic trends, the increased purchasing power of people, the involvement and investment of foreign fast food chains in other countries because of the favourable laws, employment opportunities these food chains provide etc. all substantiate the fact that fast food chains have been both a symptom and catalyst of larger economic trends.

2. How has the proliferation of fast food related to life in postindustrial   society?  What impact has this had on our workforce?

Ans: The postindustrial society has seen a significant increase in the employment opportunities for people all over. It’s a globalized interconnected world today where people tend to travel from one place to the other not only for search of jobs, but also to take make their businesses go global. In the quick moving global economy, fast food chains have made it possible for people to have food on the move.

The frequent consumption of fast food has made them addicted to fast food. This has led to obesity. Obesity has several effects on a person’s body.  The first is an obvious weight gain.  Obesity also increases the bad cholesterol in the body.  It causes both an increase in the risk of heart disease and the risk of diabetes. This has led to a negative impact on the workforce. In America’s context, it has had an affect on countries wallet, causing mass amount of money to be spent on obesity issues.

3. How has the fast food industry has changed the nature of restaurant and food processing work and the composition of their workforces?

Ans: All of the companies have felt the health kick. McDonalds has begun remodeling their restaurants to make the places more warming and inviting to families.  They have added play places for the children, and in Bluffton,US, they have a Playstation console for the children to play.  Other restaurants have kids’ areas whether it is a play place or a Lego area.  They have all also responded by having some healthy alternatives on their menus.