Chapter 1: The Impact of Technology on Dining

Our lives are inundated with technology, stirring a sense of nostalgia within me. Recently, my husband used his phone to place our family’s lunch order at McDonald's, aiming for the convenience of table delivery. Meanwhile, the kids were impatiently fussing over their hunger and reaching for the phone to peek at the order.

As often happens, the process took longer than expected. This feeling is all too familiar during visits to restaurants where I’m required to order via self-service kiosks or apps. When I think of McDonald's, I anticipate the speedy service that characterized my childhood visits. The expectation is to enjoy a quick meal, but technology can often slow down the experience when staff struggle to keep pace with incoming orders.

I find it frustrating to scroll through a menu on my phone while dining with others, and I dislike the idea of ordering from a touchscreen that has been touched by who knows how many people. It feels like things were better in the past.

Previously, waiting in line allowed me to gauge how soon I might receive my meal. Now, when a self-service kiosk fails to print my order number, I worry that my meal has vanished. The chaotic manner in which food is prepared adds to my anxiety.

When I express my frustrations, my husband often says, "You should stop viewing things through rose-tinted glasses, Jenny." I admit I enjoy my rose-tinted perspective. However, he does have a point. The convenience of self-service technology means no more stressing over who wants what and having meals delivered simplifies dining out, especially with young kids.

I remember a time before the Internet, and I miss the simplicity and slower pace of life that came with it. I fret that technology diminishes opportunities for meaningful human connections, which affects children's social skills and promotes impatience.

For older adults, a casual conversation with a cashier can be their only social interaction during shopping. A friendly cashier can truly brighten someone’s day. Conversely, self-service checkouts can be intimidating for the elderly, who may struggle to read screens or experience stress when items fail to scan. Even those adept with technology can find it difficult to check out loose produce.

The replacement of human roles with machines concerns me. Self-service kiosks and automated checkouts were introduced to cut costs, yet it feels like businesses are prioritizing profits over the well-being of staff and customers. I don't feel sympathy for companies facing theft issues at their self-service tills.

Exceptional customer service and personal interactions are crucial for creating memorable experiences. These qualities cannot be replicated by machines.

Consider dining at a restaurant: while great food is essential, it's the quality of service that transforms an ordinary meal into a cherished memory, encouraging repeat visits and recommendations.

Chapter 2: Reflections on Time and Technology

In an era where technology is meant to streamline our lives, why does it seem like we have less time than ever? I support advancements that enhance efficiency, but at what price? People appear to be more stressed, distracted, and unhappy than before technology became ubiquitous.

Or could it be that my nostalgic view of the past is clouding my judgment?

Removing the Rose-Tinted Glasses of GenAI | Liz Jernegan - YouTube

Exploring how nostalgia can influence our perception of technology and the past.

Am I looking at the past through rose-tinted glasses? - YouTube

A discussion on whether our memories of the past are overly romanticized.

More from me:

• 4 Reasons Why Growing Up in the 80s and 90s Was Great
• Oh, to be a child before the age of tablets and smartphones