2045

Description

When I entered Lyon's Walmart, Carrefour, I was very confused to see a wall of electronics near the produce section at the entrance of the store. I soon figured out that the wall of electronics was actually a wall of personal scanners. Shoppers who have a Carrefour card are able to use the scanners to scan their items as they are shopping in order to budget their spending. When they are ready to check out, they give the scanner to the cashier who then uses the information on the scanner to quickly finish the transaction. Needless to say, this process not only helps with budgeting, but also speeds up the grocery shopping process. I think this photo falls under the category of context because the only words near this wall of scanners are: "Facilite mes courses." In France's high-context culture it should be obvious how and what to use these scanners for. The scanners also illuminate the very private personal life of the French. Even a task such as grocery shopping has become very private with the use of personal scanners. Lastly, the wall of scanners illustrates technological priorities within the French culture.