My visit to McDonalds

While walking east on the busy strip of Queens Blvd after school with my buddy Pedro. We walked past aviation high school, teenagers filled the sidewalk and we did everything we can to get out of the way with these kids who were socializing with each other. The sound of cars racing by and the gasoline smell in the air was bothersome. As we approached 38th street, the sidewalks seemed very vacant however the street was filled with heavy car traffic.

About 2 blocks away from the High School we saw a McDonalds Fast Food restaurant; it wasn’t a surprise to me to find it here. It’s a great location with yellow cabs on every corner, the Q39 bus stop right there, the 44 street 7 train stop, with 2 high schools and 1 community college within a 4 block radius and a YMCA about 3 blocks away with very heavy car traffic on the blvd, a drive through and a large parking lot. This was a great spot to open a joint like this; you have all you can really get in the great gentrified neighborhood of Long Island City. This neighborhood that once housed working class people and many factories is now home to the top Wall Street investors and Manhattan businessman. Condos are replacing the abandon factories, businesses are advertising classic and brand clothing, fancy bars, lounges and restaurant replace the old ma and pa shops that once stood there. With Manhattan and Brooklyn only being ten minutes away this was a great spot for business.

We walked on the smooth drive through pavement to enter the restaurant; the entrance was very welcoming with a metal bold sign that had the words “welcome.” We were greeted by an Asian man who might’ve been in his late 30s mopping the floor. The sound of teenagers gossiping and chatting filled the air. A bunch of a middle school and high school students was all I saw siting on the booths, stalls and tables. Yup, some were sitting on the tables. To my surprise the restaurant was very clean, very well lite, and an environment that makes you feel as if you’re in a top notch fancy café.  Pedro and I decided that we would pick out a table in the far back of the restaurant to observe and take notes. So we don’t look suspicious, I ordered a chocolate milkshake for myself and a sundae for Pedro to make them feel as if we are loyal customers. The gentleman taking my order was a Latino man in his 40, who was in a shirt and tie. I assumed he was a supervisor because all the other employees were wearing brown shirts and caps. Most of them looked like they were in their late teens and early 20s, mostly African American and Hispanic. Some looked as if they were in their final years of high school. All of the employees were very friendly and gave me my order with a smile bust I sensed a vibe of annoyance coming from them. It took a quick two minutes to get my order done and I was back at our table. I handed Pedro his sundae and I started sipping my chocolate shake. While glancing around I noticed portraits of very happy people, one was a happy-loving couple, another one was a bunch of happy friend and the other one was a dandy father and son. This can certainly make you feel like you’re in a happy and trusted environment as Schlosser explains. I observed that there were two flat screen televisions sets going off. One was “Larry King” on CNN and the other was Nickelodeon with “icarly.” Entertainment while you eat to make you feel as if you are home. I actually caught a McDonald’s commercial on the Nick television set, “try our new fruit and maple oatmeal...At McDonalds….I’m loving it.” It was a very close up commercial with the oats and fruits sparkling in the screen. With a young white girl possibly in her early to mid-20s, taking a spoonful and smiling with happiness. It also has a healthy feel to it, we all know fruits and grains are good for you. So they are giving you a message that they do somehow “care” about your health. Take in mind, Nickelodeon who aired this ad, have millions of viewers everyday by mostly children and young teens.

 It was about 5 o clock now and teenagers were heading home, we decided to leave too because we believed we have gathered enough notes. We walked pass the 30 foot high golden McDonald’s “M” arches and toward 40^th street. I gave Pedro a pound on the fist and jumped on the 7 train and headed home.