Choose a fast-food restaurant that has counter service. Sit at a booth where you can observe what is going on at the counter and behind the counter. You can visit such places with your SOCI 201 class–mates and discuss the observations/findings if you wish. Hang out at two (2) sites before writing the assignment; do not spend more than 30 minutes at a site (unless you are planning to eat a meal there).
Observations to be filled out as you sit at the restaurant or shortly thereafter:
- What is the complete cycle of interaction between a customer and the employees behind the counter? Write it out in terms of its steps.
- What does the employee say?
- What does the employee do?
- How many different jobs are there behind the counter? Write some possible job titles for them.
- Is someone obviously in charge? How do you know? How is he/she controlling what the employees are doing? Discuss the structure of the establishment and dynamics between the managers and workers as well as workers and technology.
