ORDER your Meal

Tonight I decided I would eat at one of the only fast food restaurants I
enjoy, In-N-Out.  At first, I was skeptical about finding dystopian
aspects in my favorite fast food restaurant.  After sitting through a
meal and taking some notes, I was astonished by the things I realized.

The first thing that I noticed is that the restaurant’s seating
arrangement is perfectly symmetrical.  It is very easy to navigate
through; everything is easily accessible.  On the walls there are strict
regulations such as “No Smoking” and “Capacity: 50 People.”  The
lighting is bright, and it reflects well off the white and red color
scheme that floods one’s vision.  Everyone behind the counter wears a
white uniform with a red apron, and a mandatory mini chef hat.  Everyone
except for what must have been the manager or boss.  She started to bark
out orders at 8:30pm when the drive-thru backed up, and customers were
getting impatient at the counter.  At this point, I looked up from my
writing, and I noticed that no one in the restaurant was talking to each
other.  The people wouldn’t acknowledge each other at all.  I caught a
few glances from people who were probably curious why I was writing with
a burger and fries in front of me.  They looked, and then quickly turned
away with meek expressions.  Just as I was about to finish up with the
thought that I had observed enough, there it was out of the corner of my
eye; big brother looking right at me.  I couldn’t believe I almost
missed the surveillance camera, watching my every move.

Walking into an In-N-Out is like walking into a Burger Heaven.  It has
been specifically designed for its customers to feel like they are in a
pure and superior environment to other fast food chains.  The symmetry
and overall interior design of the setting is what stands out foremost.
Human’s tend to like (or perceive to like) the organization, tidiness,
and uniformity that these In-N-Out establishments contain because it
reflects order.  Order is the name of the game at In-N-Out.  The strict
signs such as “No Smoking” and “Capacity: 50 People” are indications of
the demanding environment In-N-Out believes people feel best in.
Therefore, your freedom of choice to light up your desire is taken away.
The company’s slogan “Quality you can taste” suggests that these
burgers are made with the finest, purest, and best ingredients in the
fast food business.  In that sense, there is no more of a perfect place
to eat than In-N-Out.  It is also interesting to note that “Quality you
can taste” is very similar to something like “Quality you can trust”;
which I do.  The employees all work together with little talk in order
to mass produce a good product.  They work so hard and fast in their
uniforms, they could be compared to a military platoon.  When the
manager shouted out orders, the employees seemed to go into robot mode,
working as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Surprisingly enough, the customers were getting anxious about having to
wait more than 2 minutes in line to order.  People are so used to
getting their meals so quickly and conveniently, they don’t know how to
act when things aren’t going right.  No one engages in any kind of
conversation, let alone eye contact because there is nothing to be
questioned in an In-N-Out.  The focus is on the feeling of superiority
over other fast food establishments that one is meant to feel.  I can
definitely say that In-N-Out strives and achieves being the best burger
chain in the business, but their utopian ideals to make eating food into
an orgasm of order creates a small dystopian ache in our bellies.