It’s been awhile since I’ve eaten at a McDonald’s, but it’s hard not to notice the commercials. They’ve changed. No longer do you see a smiling Ronald McDonald, Grimace and Cheeseburglar. It’s all about basketball, hip-hop tunes, and street slang. I’ve found this odd, as the I remember the McDonald’s locations of my youth. My mother and I would go there as a treat when my father was out of town, because he didn’t (still doesn’t) like McDonald’s.
McDonald’s has always held a special place in my heart, because it was where I could go to get a Happy Meal because it had that special toy I wanted… sometimes my mother would get a Happy Meal too, so I could get two toys (at least, that’s what she told me. I really think it was because she was tired of McDonald’s). As I grew up, it was where I went to get America’s Favorite French Fries, play Monopoly in hopes of winning the million dollars, or at least the Corvette. As a college student, McDonald’s became important with their dollar menu, as sometimes it was all I could afford.
But something happened along the way. McDonald’s became less important to me. Healthier (and better tasting) fast food alternatives lessened my visits to McDonald’s until a few years ago when I stopped going altogether. Why? Well, probably the main reason is my current employer doesn’t do business with McDonald’s, so the opportunity doesn’t present itself as well as it does with Wendy’s, KFC, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and the other guys.
But the other day on my way to the airport, I stopped by a McDonald’s to have some lunch. I’m saddened to say the magic is gone. I walked inside to place my order and noticed one thing right away: this place needed a good sweeping. There were fries all over the floor and no smiling faces at the cash register. As I waited politely for a few minutes for someone to come take my order, I looked around. I seemed to be the only customer over the age of 20 that wasn’t dressed like a goon in a rap video, and that included the employees!
Finally this large, large, large black woman came over to the register I was standing at and she said “Cenayetakeorda”, which I assumed was whatever language she spoke for “May I help you?” As I recounted my special order, she grew obviously impatient because it meant she had to press more keys on the cash register. When I was done, she kept pounding away at the register and finally looked up at me with a blank stare. I looked back at her, not knowing what to say next. Finally she rolled her eyes and said, “fuhdallaenateysebbencent”. I reached for my wallet, knowing she wanted cash, and I looked down at the register to see what my total was. Four dollars and eighty-seven cents.
I paid her and then watched her assemble my food in a takeout bag, even though I said my order was for here. And then when she had everything in my order, she turned around and stuck her arm out straight towards me, holding the bag. I took the bag from her and let her go on about her business. No “thank you”, no “have a nice day”, not even “here’s your food, now fuck off and die”.
Truly McDonald’s has disappointed me and that special place in my heart where so many warm feelings of being in “Ronald’s House” has soured. When your employees don’t know the basics of good customer service and can’t even speak English, you have a problem. But, then again, maybe I’m not the target audience anymore. I mean, the ads on TV don’t even show white adults and rarely show white kids. Maybe my dad had something after all…. McDonald’s isn’t for me.
30/06/2005 at 9:31 am Permalink
Racist Cracker.
Ke’Marjay La’Sohn is working hard to pay for her babies (spinner rims) and you poke fun at her? She ain’t got TIME to sweep dat flo!
For Fun, look at this week’s birth announcements in Albany, GA: (for bonus fun, count the married couples and single moms, too)
ALLEN, Leon Marquez, son, was born June 15 to Leon Allen and Lakeisha Peterson of Albany.
BROWN, Daizha En’Jolie, daughter, was born June 16 to Damon E. Brown and La’Tivias V. Anderson of Albany.
BROWN, Katelyn Zenobia, daughter, was born June 9 to Morris L. Brown III and Lakisha L. Taylor of Leary.
CLAY, Kamarion Deontre’, son, was born June 19 to Charnae D. Clay of Dawson.
DANIELS, Aleuna Shunte’ and Aveuna Veunte’, twin daughters, were born June 13 to Sammy L. Daniel and Shayartta Asberry of Dawson.
GREEN, J’Wahn Scott, son, was born June 17 to Jahwahn Green and Idrissa Scott of Albany.
GREEN, Malachi Ali, son, was born June 18 to Nicole Green of Albany.
GRIMES, Ja’Quavious Ja’Quan, son, was born June 16 to Carl Edward Grimes and Latasha S. Walden of Leary.
HILL, Reveckeo Quentayvis Antwan, son, was born June 18 to Reveckeo A. Hill and Tyericka R. Tyner of Albany.
HILLIS, Jordan Ahmad, son, was born June 20 to Eddie and Karen Hills of Albany.
HODGE, Ke’Asia Tykera, daughter, was born June 16 to Natoria A. Hodge of Albany.
JONES, Kameron DeMarcus, son, was born June 15 to Shebreka Jones of Dawson.
KEY, Tamia Bershay, daughter, was born June 14 to Constance Key of Bronwood.
MATTHEWS, Naria Alys, daughter, was born June 17 to Audrey C. Matthews of Camilla.
MILTON, Detaillia Denae, daughter, was born June 14 to Anthony Milton and Melody Green of Albany.
MOLDEN, Ke’Marjay La’Sohn, son, was born June 14 to Lora Molden of Bronwood.
NIX, Jaidyn Josephine, daughter, was born June 14 to Michelle Nix of Leesburg.
OLIVER, Brianna Jareia, daughter, was born June 19 to Jason J. Oliver and Ashley N. Hall of Albany.
SANFORD, Timarion La’Rico, son, was born June 19 to Mia C. Sanford of Albany.
SMITH, Keasia Caleah, daughter, was born June 15 to Miranda Smith of Dawson.
THOMAS, Tavian JaNard, son, was born June 10 to Timothy Thomas and Natasha Shorter of Albany.
WILLIAMS, Mariyah Marie, daughter, was born June 18 to Deandre Williams and Cheryl M. Roberts of Albany.
30/06/2005 at 10:45 am Permalink
LOL
I agree when I learned there were other places out there other than McD’s I was all over that.
But somes I do crave a tastless cheese burger
30/06/2005 at 10:47 am Permalink
Haha - I find it funny that out of all those only two sets of parents share the same last name… and seveal listings list no father. Possibly because she doesn’t know who the father is? Oh wait, I’m being stereotypical. Shame on me.
As far as the McDonalds story I just told… if that makes me racist so be it. I’m not one to shout out the ‘n’ word, or beat someone because of their skin color… but if expecting American citizens to speak and understand English clearly makes me racist, then I’m the biggest racist motherfucker you’ll ever meet.
30/06/2005 at 6:15 pm Permalink
I agree; I don’t go to McDonald’s unless there is no other option. Those names are hilarious.
01/07/2005 at 10:41 am Permalink
Actually Kyle, if you visited the McDonalds in my neck of the woods, the magic would be back for you. The employees don’t weigh 400lbs, they are always courteous (at least the Hispanic ones that speak english), and the entire store has been rebuilt for a year now, and is usually kept spic and span. I think the biggest mess I have seen there has been coke stains on the drink counters, which usually are gone by the next day. My food is always hot and fresh, I think I have gotten cold fries there a few times, but if you complain about that, you get a free meal the next time you come in, lol!
02/07/2005 at 2:06 pm Permalink
Hmm, about that list of baby names up there *LOL*
“I find it funny…only two… share the same last name… and seveal…no father.” In reference to that, I find it very sad!
I don’t care for McD’s - but they do have some good fries… every now and then I crave a dble cheeseburger from there. I’m one who doesn’t care if it’s healthy or not, I just eat
LOL
Michele sent me back
She did say hello 
03/07/2005 at 1:40 pm Permalink
I used to love mcD’s as a kid, the happy meal toys were the best, now they suck. My kids get McD’s once a year if they are lucky.
10/07/2005 at 10:23 am Permalink
Michele sent me…I don’t even know how to respond to your post, but I did indeed read it.