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Mcdonaldization

In: Business and Management

Submitted By dobsonros
Words 2863
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Personally, I find Ritzer’s ideas on the velvet cage and iron cage concepts to be valid. No matter where we go today, we are faced with McDonaldization. So, to some extent, all of us are caged on a daily basis by the over-rationalization of society. The velvet cage is a reflection in my life because I literally grew up on McDonald’s assembly-line Happy Meals. As a result of becoming comfortable with McDonaldization, I have grown to depend on fast, predictable products and services in all areas of my life. For instance, I take my clothes to a 24-hour dry cleaners. I use JiffyLube to quickly change the oil in my car. Almost every day, I access an ATM machine instead of standing in line at the bank. And, I pay for and pump my own gas without ever seeing an attendant. Although, having said that, there are alternatives to some of these examples of McDonaldization. Therefore, I do not feel defenseless against this process because there is comfort in knowing that (for example) fast food restaurants are a steadfast viable choice for a quick meal when you do not have a lot of time to shop for healthier, better quality foods. Let’s face it. Realistically, we live in a contemporary society today that is on the move. We want what we want, at the exact time that we want it. And, for that convenience, there will be times when I am willing to compromise quality for quantity.

On the other hand, Ritzer’s ideas on the iron cage are also a reflection in my life. Whenever I do have the time, which isn’t often, I will “fight back” against McDonaldization by shopping for fresh groceries and cooking because my physical health is important to me. Or, I will escape the process by changing the oil in my car by myself or washing my own laundry. But overall, I do not hold a negative attitude towards McDonaldization. I know that growing up within a predominantly

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