Fast Food Ritual

In both “The Ritual of Fast Foods” and “Sweet, Sour and Resentful”, logos is used to argue that rituals cause corporations and groups of people to have control over us, in order to portray that rituals in our daily lives often force us into unconsciously making the same decision repetitively. The word ritual typically has a religious or solemn connotation, but these two passages place the term in our everyday lives. In “The Ritual of Fast Food”, Visser seemingly has intentions to expose the fast food industry, and show people the means by which these corporations exploit our habits, or rituals. The reading mentions “an outlet is designed to be a ‘home away from home’, on the highway, or anywhere in the city, or for Americans abroad” (Visser 189). Visser’s thoughts on

corporations whether it be down the street, on the way across the country or in another country entirely show how food companies manipulate us by making us feel comfortable in their environments. It ends up controlling our decision making because it essentially means why step into the unknown when you can sit in a fast food chain anywhere in the world and know almost exactly what to expect in terms of service, general layout, theme and foods. Additionally, “Sweet, Sour and Resentful” sets us in the home of a family from Iran that is temporarily living in Newport California. Dumas mentions that his family's phone was always ringing with Iranian relatives, friends and almost anyone with some sort of connection on the other end, all coming to the US to escape the revolution that is taking place. Their family is constantly hosting dinners for these newcomers. Countless hosted dinners causes the writer to realize “tradition is good only if it brings joy to all involved” (Dumas 251). This quote shows the control the guests have on the Dumases, it changes their perspective on ritual completely.

Ironically, Firoozeh’s mother, who is in pain after preparing such a meal allows the guests to give her information to their friends and relatives, letting this all happen again and again. Similarly, these crowds cause the family to continuously accept waves of guests for dinners, despite the lack of joy it brings them. They are seen making the same decision over and over because of the pressure of these crowds they feed. I have personally experienced the controlling effect in my own household, and in a way I can understand how Firoozeh feels. My family hosts a Thanksgiving brunch and get together every year, and we solely supply the various foods and treats that come with it. My mom will spend the few days before cleaning the house, moving things around and just getting the house ready for guests on the big day. It has become a tradition, one that comes with all of the pain or preparation, hosting and clean up. The family friends that come over have a great time, and that is likely the only incentive my mom has to keep the annual brunch going. It exemplifies the control that groups have over all of us, and how this control causes us to uphold traditions and make the same decision again and

again.