[carlo3b]

In fact, the entire operation from order taking to preparation to delivery of product to car window and payment could be automated.

Absolutely true, but the effect gets even worse.. We are now almost employees of every service industry that we interact with..

With the rise in wages at the lowest paid sector of service we now assume their duties.. We pump our own gas, pick up our own food, and cleanup after ourselves in food establishments.. Hell, we even pick up our own mail at the central mailboxes..

With an increase in low paid workers in fast food establishments a further reduction in the other duties will be done, as you aptly point out in more and more jobs taken by automation and less employment by entree level jobs traditionally done by youthful workers..

Young adults have less opportunities to learn to work, than ever before.. Most of the lost jobs do to the increase will further exasperate the problem..

[ExTxMarine]

Young adults have less opportunities to learn to work, than ever before.. Most of the lost jobs do to the increase will further exasperate the problem.

The number one complaint of the field employees at my company is that the new, young employees have NO WORK ETHIC! They don't understand that we plan our work with the idea that everyone will show up everyday and perform at a decent level of productivity. They do not understand that finishing a single task is not an "accomplishment," it is the opportunity to start another task - we got thousands to do on this job, not just ONE.

These are skills which you learn while working as a teenager and often in fast food. If you are the order taker, you learn that you get the butt chewing if the preparer screws up. As the preparer, you learn that everything breaks down if the guy in charge of supplying your station doesn't perform. You learn these VITAL skills to perform other, better paying jobs, by working in these low skilled, low paying jobs.

[PATRIOT1876]

*We pump our own gas, pick up our own food, and cleanup after ourselves in food establishments.. Hell, we even pick up our own mail at the central mailboxes.*

What makes my wife mad is when we go to a high priced grocery store and they close the human registers at 10pm and you have to use the automated check out.

They should at least give you a discount for working as a cashier for them