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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not understand why people consider McDonalds to be a "treat"

712 replies

TalkinPeace · 13/03/2014 15:22

if I want a family "treat" meal I go somewhere with fresh, favoursome food made especially for us.

Why do people take their kids somewhere that sells the lowest common denominator of food and call it a "treat" ?

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 13/03/2014 17:43

Cigarettes did you read the article? Or not get past the headline.

Not all McDonalds use the same production method.... and yep its true, US burgers DO taste like cardboard arse.

FreudiansSlipper · 13/03/2014 17:43

YABU why would you use food as a treat Hmm

food should not be used as a treat it is something you need to have and sometimes it is ok to have food that is not so good for you

ds loves macdonalds he also loves good food

Foxsticks · 13/03/2014 17:43

For all the posters who don't let their kids eat McDs because it's not their sort of place - my parents were the same. I longed to visit the golden arches like my friends. I sadly watched Ronald Mcdonald on the ads, knowing I would never get to cuddle him and eat a dirty burger. I asked if we could go most shopping trips but was told no, as "we don't eat in places like that".

When I was a teenager and allowed out on my own I went mad for quarter pounders and occasionally whoppers, but I didn't like BK chips much. I ate there every weekend. I wanted dirty burgers much more than my friends who grew up eating the odd McDs because my parents had made it into forbidden fruit.

I now have a two and a half year old and she has eaten McDs twice. Growing up I'd be happy for her to eat there every few months I think. Everything in moderation.

I really want a quarter pounder now Smile

RedToothBrush · 13/03/2014 17:47

As a matter of interest has ANYONE won anything other than another burger, fries etc on Monopoly?

OatcakeCravings · 13/03/2014 17:47

The problem with MN is that when you start a thread to try and make yourself feel that little bit superior by sneering at others pretty much everyone gets that's what you are doing. Maybe try somewhere else OP.

YoureAShoe · 13/03/2014 17:48

Marianne little bit touchy today are we? Hmm

YoureAShoe · 13/03/2014 17:48

red I've won cinema tickets before! Grin

Preciousbane · 13/03/2014 17:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EatShitDerek · 13/03/2014 17:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

girliefriend · 13/03/2014 17:49

It is a treat for my dd (8yo) as she gets a toy, balloon, chips and fishfingers - all for about £4. Whats not to get?

Infact the last Sunday we finished off a lovely day out (swimming, cycling and running round the park) in macds and it was the perfect end to a perfect day - if it makes you feel better to judge me, go right ahead Grin

We probably go there once a month or less.

MarianneM · 13/03/2014 17:50

Yes youreAShoe, most of the time!

But McDonald's is still shit.

Tweasels · 13/03/2014 17:51

The best thing about taking kids to McDonalds is the speed the food is ready in. My kids moan as soon as they're sat down in Morrisons Cafe a restaurant "when will it be ready' when will it be ready?"

McD's I go to the counter and come back with it - brilliant. Chicken nuggets and chips is a pretty standard kids meal offered in most eateries. Can't imagine McDonalds is any worse than anywhere else.

We do only go on the last day of term as a treat (treat meaning something different from the norm). I don't personally know anyone who goes every week.

WorraLiberty · 13/03/2014 17:52

food should not be used as a treat it is something you need to have and sometimes it is ok to have food that is not so good for you

I disagree that food should not be used as a treat

Some foods should imo

When my kids were little, if they asked for an ice cream at the seaside, I would say "Yes you can have one later if you're good".

If they weren't well behaved they wouldn't get an ice cream because an ice cream is a treat.

They would of course get their dinner, because that's a staple thing and not a treat at all.

If they acted up all day and were really naughty, why would I treat them to an ice cream?

YoureAShoe · 13/03/2014 17:53

Marianne nobody has a problem with people not liking McDonalds, they have a problem that people that do like McDonalds were being looked down on.

EatShitDerek · 13/03/2014 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FreudiansSlipper · 13/03/2014 17:55

really

think of all the adverts that teach us from a young age you can have if you are good - bad foods or especially the message it gives women eat bad food = being naught/feeling guilty

I would never say I have not used food to bribe ds but it is not necessarily bad food

food is food some it good for you some not and food that is not you have in moderation

FreudiansSlipper · 13/03/2014 17:56

you can have bad food if you are good ....

trying to cook while posting

Cigarettesandsmirnoff · 13/03/2014 17:57

red they are all under the same umbrella ! Should you personally check every macdonalds to see if their meat s ethically sourced ? NO . because you don't expect a HUGE name like that to sell people food that's not fit for animal consumption - anywhere !

Why anyone would treat their kids to that dog shit I don't know?

My friend worked there while she worked in uni - she has never eaten there since.

Ignorance is bliss hey?!

DumSpiroSpero · 13/03/2014 17:57

Hmm, is have to do a 100 mile round trip to get to my nearest IKEA so that's out for a start.

However I am popping out in a minute for some flavoursome food cooked freshly for us from our local chippie

You, OP, can have a Biscuit !

RedToothBrush · 13/03/2014 17:58

think of all the adverts that teach us from a young age you can have if you are good - bad foods or especially the message it gives women eat bad food = being naught/feeling guilty

You mean like weight watchers? Or fat free yogurts? or rivita?

cate16 · 13/03/2014 17:59

I wanted to go the McDs for my birthday (and did)

Not been for years. It made a nice change from 'proper' food, and may go again next year..........in fact I might make it my yearly birthday treat.

note- DH was well 'appy with my cheap dinning out choice.

Flibbertyjibbet · 13/03/2014 17:59

I take 2 children to mcd's about once every 3 weeks or so. Normally straight after school on the way to somewhere else.
They each get a happy meal, one with milkshake which they share, one with a cup of tea, which is for me.

I then collect all the little tokens off the teas and get a free one at some point so that the kids can have a milkshake each.

So we are spending about £4.50 per visit, every 3 weeks. On the basis suggested by others, of cutting out the mc donalds and saving up to have a proper treat (by other people's standards and choices) I would be able to have, er, a kfc bargain bucket or some horseballs at ikea, about once in a blue moon. And a fat duck once a century perhaps?

Mcdonalds in Germany was wonderful. Choice of different teas, much nicer cake selection, and the gift with the happy meal was a proper hardback book, not a piece of plastic tat.

They should bring back PROPER toys like those beanie babies from about 1999!

FreudiansSlipper · 13/03/2014 17:59

exactly

all of course aimed at women

KristinaM · 13/03/2014 18:01

I hate macdonalds food but my children love it ,so they go there as a treat a few times a year. I do feel rather sorry for the unfortunate children who have never been allowed inside one because of their parents principles. Isn't that a bit like not having a tv?

I am thin, rich, very healthy and not on benefits BTW. Just in case you are wondering .