Food has alternative connections for people living in
different areas and with different cultural ties. In some cultures, meals are
separated into multiple courses emphasizing the importance of spending time together
with others while eating; in other societies meals do not hold a high
significance in one’s day. To study this topic my friend, Kathleen, and I
visited Panera Bread on a Saturday afternoon. We observed who was eating, how
they were eating, what they were eating, the setting, and how these observations
explain our American food values and culture.
Panera Bread is a casual café/coffee shop geared
towards individuals and smaller groups. There was an assortment of different individuals
at Panera when I visited: grandparents, grandchildren, couples, and individuals
working on computers. The couples were engaging in full conversation, the
individuals were working on computers, and the grandparents were spending time
with their grandchildren.
Those on computers all exhibited the same behavior: a
half eaten sandwich on the side, occasionally grabbing a bite while typing on
the computer. My friend, Kathleen, noticed striking similarities between two different
individuals working on computers at their own table; they each had a half eaten
plate of food and an iced tea on the side, and they both took a sip of their
drink at the same time! These two individuals are characteristic examples—eating
while working—of the working class in our society. During the day, time to
enjoy a meal is less valued in the working class; only the grandparents with
grandchildren showed signs of cherishing the company they were with rather than
the food eaten.
Similar to the individuals on computers, all of the
couples had matching behaviors. The couples sat at either tables for two or
booths, rather than tables for four—even though there were plenty of open spots
around. They engaged in conversation while eating, but left shortly after they
finished. The grandparents and children spent the most time at Panera. They
only had drinks—hot chocolate for the children—and were thus there to spend
time together.
The only other individuals at Panera were the
workers. They were dressed in matching green aprons with kaki pants and a nametag.
There were distinctly two divisions of the workers: those behind the counter
taking orders and those preparing the food. Rarely did someone come out past
the counter other than to clean the tables. When we entered the restaurant, a
worker greeted us and asked what we wanted to order.
When first walking into Panera we were allured by the
pastries—tempting us to buy one. At Panera an order is placed at the cashier
and food is picked up at a counter farther down when a name is called. Behind
the cashier is a shelf full of fresh breads and bagels. On the wall behind, there
is a full menu including calorie counts for each item. Our society is very much
concerned with healthy options, forcing many restaurants to change their menus
to display calorie counts. In addition, some options on the board included
phrases such as low-fat mango
smoothie. An article in the Bloomberg Businessweek states that the breads from
Panera are “from dough that contains no unhealthy trans fats.” This article
claims that Panera targets those concerned with health food.
Upon leaving, food is dumped into a trashcan and trays
are placed on top (this is very common in fast-food restaurants). Personally, I
don’t view Panera as a fast-food restaurant. Even though it is a popular chain
for a quick and easy meal, the options are healthy, fresh, and more expensive than
the typical fast-food chain. Choices include salads, sandwiches, soups, pastas,
and pastries. Panera also sells signature
salads and sandwiches. These options are more expensive and “higher-class”
which directly reflects our society. We indulge in items that appear luxurious.
Some items include words such as Mediterranean giving off the sense of being
foreign.
This “newer” style is reflected in the design of
Panera. The entire area is clean and very few scraps of garbage are on the
ground. The dining area is full of reds, oranges, and browns with cartoon
illustrations in picture frames along the walls. The room is well lit with warm
light coming from decorative lamps hanging from the ceilings.
The restaurant is designed to look and feel spacious
with multiple areas separated by partial walls. Near the bathroom is a smaller
dining area with two-person tables. At the time I went, only couples were
seated there. The main dining area is full of booths, four-person tables, and
two-person tables. Panera is meant for small groups and not large parties. The
dining room is separated off from the cashier area to minimize the distraction
of those ordering.
In a typical American café/restaurant/coffee shop,
there will be people eating together while others will be eating alone and
working. During lunchtime (or 3:00 P.M. when I went), time to enjoy a meal out
is less cherished. Our society continually looks for the quick and easy places
to eat while juggling around our busy schedules. Even though this is the case,
grandparents—as shown when I went—still spend time enjoying a meal with their
grandchildren. Panera Bread creates a warm environment for those who want
healthier options or for those simply looking to relax and have a snack.
The Bloomberg Businessweek
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