Food Court Values

            In America, we claim to be a “melting pot.” This describes our conglomeration of cultures and how many different types of food can be found here in America. One of the biggest places that you can find a lot of different types of food in one place is the food court. Food courts are places that are often in malls and outlet stores and have a variety of fast food chains that are popular to people across America. The ability for people to shop and eat in one place is convenient because it is quick, easy, and a way to shop all day without getting tired. In America, we are people that value the ability to eat food quickly and while still wanting as many choices as possible.

            Out of all the food courts in America, Park Meadows food court would be the closest one to the average college student at DU. Not even a twenty minute light rail ride from the campus, this food court can offer shoppers a variety of fast food from Sbarro to Panda Express to Taco Bell. Walking into the food court at two o’clock in the afternoon on a Sunday was quite the experience though. Shoppers of all ages were at the mall, from families to teenagers to the simple single shopper getting a present for someone they know, they all seemed to be eating at the same time. The food court had lines in pretty much every food shop there was. The primary people there though were families and groups of friends. The food court seemed to be acting as an intermediary for the casual conversation and sharing of a meal that all of these people had. The food seemed to be of little importance and it was instead a reason for people to sit and talk, which they couldn’t do if they are walking around and shopping. Food needs to be quick in a food court so that conversation can follow.

            The food in the food court is a college student’s paradise. Coming from Sodexo food to a place that you can order almost anything is great. The style in the food court is to order what you would like, then wait for it to be prepared and handed to you. The food court in Park Meadows is a style that is similar to a cafeteria line, where you get your food on paper plates and then find a table. The communal tables in Park Meadows were pretty much packed, since so many people were getting lunch at the same time, but this did make it easy to observe people. The setting of the food court was a wood furnish on the pillars and ceiling. This gave it an almost outdoors feel and helped to lighten the atmosphere and mood in the area. This casual mood shows just how important conversation is in the food court.

            One of the biggest things that help to lighten the mood in the food court is the wait staff and the casual attire of the customers. Most of the servers at each of the food stores are teens that are in college. They are not looking for a long-term job serving food, but instead use this job as a way to make money for something like college. These teenagers wear their uniform that is mandated by the company and help customers to get their food as quickly as possible. The wait staff is often nice and polite to customers in order to try and draw them back later. Another aspect of the food court is the casual attire that the customers have. It would be too uncomfortable to have business attire on when in the mall. Most customers have a casual attire and approach things in a casual manner. These clothing choices make a difference in how the atmosphere is in the food court.

            Even after talking about the food court and all of its different dynamics that can be found, the food has not even come into play. The wide variety is something that we as Americans value. Of course, wide varieties are not only valued by Americans, but by people all around. In Singapore, there is a new food court that was redesigned where people “flocked to it” because there was “so much to choose from.” Wide varieties in a food court allow people to try new things as well as stick to what they know if they want too. You can see in Park Meadows that things like Squeeze, which sells smoothies, Panda Express, which sells Chinese food, and Sbarro, which serves pizza, all bring a different food to the table. Panda Express and Taco Bell represent different food cultures put into one area. Also, the food is of relatively decent quality for a good price. The food court in Singapore has a dish that has “20 different herbs and spices” in it for a delectable meal. Nothing in Park Meadows is that fancy, but the food tastes good and is quick.

            The food court in Singapore tells us something about what we value in America. The food there is meant to be complex and delicious, while in America it is focused more on quick and easy, with conversation being there to follow up. Never the less, food courts are important social areas because they allow for the break between shopping and socializing. Also, the food courts allow for the mesh of cultures to be brought to the forefront in that tiny space. As American’s, we value culture and socialization in our society.

“Food Court reinvents food court dining at Orchard Road”

http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/none/food-republics-food-court-313somerset-108033