Restaurants

     This week in class we discussed the rhetoric of restaurants. I had never really thought about this much before, but once we discussed it I started noticing in more and more. I had always noticed that nicer restaurants have lower lighting and that they go out of their way to help you. I hadn’t really paid much attention to the rhetoric of other restaurants though. I have started noticing the rhetoric in smaller fast food places. I have noticed that in fast food restaurants there is less seating and bright lights. They are not encouraging you to stay and eat there, but would rather you take your food and leave. Their goal is to get as many people in and out with their food as possible. If people don’t stay and linger they have more room for more people and can sell more food. Food is not an “experience” at fast food places, but rather what you are picking up on your way to something else. Also, I have noticed that you are often being rushed at fast food places. You are expected to know exactly what you want when you get up to the counter to order. When thinking about the rhetoric of restaurants I thought of the restaurants at the Union. Whenever I have gotten anything from the Chick-fil-a or Wendy’s in the Union, I am rushed through so quickly that I am not sure if I have all the food that I am suppose to plus my correct change back at the end. These places must rush to be able to effectively feed everyone in line, but their goal is definitely quantity. You definitely do not have time to stand at the counter and look at the signs to decide what you want. The rhetoric of the restaurants in the Union is sending the message that its purpose is to sell food, and that is all.