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Original poster

Mumsnet and McDonalds

749 replies

tattychicken · 03/05/2012 08:13

DH popped into a Mcdonalds yesterday to (ahem) use the facilities. Did his usual trick of taking his iPhone with him, and later let me know that when he was connecting to the Internet, the free wifi for McDonalds users popped up 'in conjunction with Mumsnet'!!! The blurb on mumsnet still says they don't allow advertising from mcdonalds, but when we googled it, it turns out this ban was lifted last May, and 'Mumsnet is proud to be associated with the family friendly restaurant'. .

WTF? You might be, MNHQ, but I'm not.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 03/05/2012 08:16

It is not as if it is Hooters is it..... Confused

Figgygal · 03/05/2012 08:16

Very interested by this i must say!

I think its an utter disgrace they are a major olympic sponsor along with cadburys though

TitsalinaBumSquash · 03/05/2012 08:17

So what?

Moominsarescary · 03/05/2012 08:17

I like an occasional big mac

GrossePopel · 03/05/2012 08:18

Blush I don't get why some people have such strong opinions about McDonalds? I don't eat there much maybe 3-4 times a year. I don't find them any more evil or dodgy than any other fast food alternative, KFC, Dominos, Subway etc... Surely everything in moderation?

As to MN collaborating with them in any shape or form, well that doesn't bother me a huge amount either. Is there something about McDonalds that I don't know about? If so, please tell me, I just don't get it?

NoKnownAllergies · 03/05/2012 08:19

If you dislike McDonalds so much then perhaps you shouldn't use their facilities? Even in an emergency.

Is McDonalds really that bad for an occasional treat (genuine question)?

Moominsarescary · 03/05/2012 08:19

And the odd greggs sausage roll

Tee2072 · 03/05/2012 08:19

There was a whole consultation thread about MN joining with McDonalds ages ago.

They decided to do it.

squeakytoy · 03/05/2012 08:21

There are far worse things than an occasional McDonalds you know.. and it is perfectly possible to eat a healthy meal in there too.

GingerWrath · 03/05/2012 08:22

Here we go again! McDonalds isn't the evil devil's food that the general MN population thinks it is!

It's seasoned beef, bread, and a few chips/carrot sticks and consumed occasionally is not going to guarantee your children are on the slippery slope to obesity!

LeeCoakley · 03/05/2012 08:22

The last time I looked they were selling burgers and drinks. Not crack. Not poison. And they weren't killing babies or a front for a terrorist cell.

I love 'em

5inthebed · 03/05/2012 08:22

So basically your DH went for a crap in Mcdonalds and surfed the net while doing so.

Are you the poo troll Wink

can't see the problem with McDonalds tbh, there are worse things to feed your kids every once and a while.

TheCunningStunt · 03/05/2012 08:22

I saw a child in a buggy with a fruit shoot and a greggs sausage roll(I kid not). That's far worse than this op.Wink

MissTapestry · 03/05/2012 08:24

Great, so now I want a big mac Sad Grin

I don't understand the problem OP, it's just food, you choose to eat it or not, that's all.

HecateTrivia · 03/05/2012 08:24

I don't honestly think it matters who advertises.

so mcdonalds give mumsnet some money. It means we don't have to. It doesn't affect my mning experience one little bit no matter who's advertising with them.

And what does it actually do? Does someone - a fully functioning adult - actually go oh, well, I used to hate mcdonalds, but if they advertise with mumsnet, then I had better go in there every day...

No. Those who don't go, won't go and those who already do - will carry on.

Unless I'm missing the point here, mcdonalds is just a fast food place that offers slightly greasy burgers to people who want to buy them.

However. What does matter is if MN are claiming that they don't accept adverts from a particular organisation, while actually accepting adverts from that organisation. THAT is wrong. If they are actually still saying on the site that they don't, and for some reason that is totally beyond me, that is a 'selling point' - then they need to remove it.

Petsinmypudenda · 03/05/2012 08:26

My child really was in the buggy with a fruit shoot yesterday and not one person tutted or hurled abuse at meSad

Nothing wrong with McDonalds, everything in moderation and all that. If you go in day after day its your fault not theirs.

I hope he washed his hand before using his phone

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 03/05/2012 08:28

I'm trying, but am really struggling to see a problem here. It's a complete non problem.

Look at it this way. We like MN. We don't want to have to pay to use MN. We want MNHQ to be able to pay their wages. So if McDs are going to help do that so I can waste hours on MN for free, then that's fine by me.

Get0rfMoiLand · 03/05/2012 08:31

I don't know why people care about this so much.

MN are a company. They need to make money whilst we piss about on here for free. They generally consult with their users and listen to MNers opinions re advertising in the main.

Get0rfMoiLand · 03/05/2012 08:31

X posts with pretty much exactly the same sentiments as Freddos Grin

ObiWan · 03/05/2012 08:42

I have rediscovered McDonalds through the children.

Breakfast food tastes odd, but the coffee is nice and orange juice ok.

Hamburgers are nice, and have pickle in them!

Big Macs are nice, but messy, so I eat them facing the wall. Grin I don't like the chicken nuggets, but the chicken burgers they used to do were nice.

And I like the ice cream. I'm going to try a quarter pounder next.

And if they have free WiFi, that's great. I wonder how many people in there are logged into MN at any one time? I'm going to keep an eye out next time we go in!

AmberNectarine · 03/05/2012 08:43

Oh FGS, this is ridiculous. McDonalds is fine as an occasional (and convenient) treat - it is our job as parents to make sure our children eat a balanced diet, and it is perfectly possible to do this while including the odd happy meal!

As for MN being affiliated with it, well, I don't particularly want to purchase my clothes from certain retailers who advertise here, or go on a villa holiday in France, but that is my choice to make. I think MN is a great website and wish to continue using it for free. After all, everyone likes something for nothing as your DH and his iPhone will attest.

halcyondays · 03/05/2012 08:47

Mmm McDonalds. Did your dh really just go in to use the facilities or did he have a crafty Big Mac while he was there?Grin

Can't say it bothers me, they sell burgers, not crack cocaine.

DogEared · 03/05/2012 08:52

Hang on. Hang on. The real issue here is that your DH went into MacDonalds for a dump, and messed about on his iphone whilst turding. I bet he ate a Mic Mac while on the crapper, and all :o

I love MacDonalds food. Fortunately I live pretty far away from one. I know the Ronald MacDonald hospice does brilliant work too.

simperingsally · 03/05/2012 08:52

this is a total non issue. It does not in any way shape or form mean that anyone who does not like MnDonalds will start using it.

Theres nothing wron with the occasional happy meal for the kids. My dd likes a happy meal and we give her some occasionally as a treat. i do like a big mac too.

i dont see what the fuss is about if you dont like it dont use it.

simperingsally · 03/05/2012 08:53

McDonalds even.