So, earlier today, I was sent out to drive to get an order from McDonalds. It sounded simple enough, I just had to go through the drive-thru and repeat the order number, and they would give it to me. Little did I know, that it would become more complicated. My mom told me it was just a happy meal and an Oreo McFlurry, but she did not tell me the contents of the Happy Meal would be. So when I got home, my mom told me that I got a wrong order. Yes, I got a Happy Meal Order with an Oreo McFlurry, but it was from another paying customer who also placed an order. And my mom got mad at me, even though I just did what I was told. I went there by car, and recited the order number and got the order that was given to me. I’m not sure why she got mad at me, for it, as if it was my fault that employees there got the order mixed up.

It got me thinking of exactly why the employees would mess up, however, and it got me thinking about my own behavior. I behaved like a robot, like a cog in the machine, simply doing what I was told instead of asking questions. And from that, I figured the employee was the same way. They did not ask me the specifics of the order, only that an order that matched the criteria I gave. It’s almost scary how nobody in this situation questioned any further than was necessary. Yes, I was a customer, and yes they were just the producer, but there should have been more inquiry between the both of us.

And I got thinking even further, about the things we accept in our society that we don’t question. Like, how it’s normal for children to stand up and recite the pledge of allegiance, which is practically indoctrination when you get right down to it. And I think it’s mainly apathy that’s led to this, and things like the bystander effect. If it doesn’t personally involve you, it’s hard to empathize with someone over any issue. At the end of the day, it’s just food, and it’s just money that’s being traded.