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

[TalkinPeace]

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" ?

I wish we had In-N-Out burger here burger and chips are delicious, cooked especially for you and they do a low carb burger, its wrapped in lettuce

The toy is rubbish at the moment though, stupid Lego cup! It makes me feel I should go four times and get a set, or just throw it away!

I like the odd bit of crap food. It tastes nice - although mcdonalds always makes me feel a bit nauseated about half an hour after I've had one. Which begs the question - why have one but it tastes nice at the time.

But what I really love is an e-coli buger from the mucky van on the bridge over the motorway.

I have always understood 'treat' to mean a) something that you don't have often and b) something that you sort of feel you really shouldn't have if it doesn't come with crappy fries and a side serving of guilt, then it isn't treat enough for me.

I don't want to feel virtuous about my treat of posh salmon parcels served with organic veg cooked in water blessed by holy virgins. I want a dirty burger and an ice cream that's 3/4 newspaper and I want to eat it in my car, on the overpass, while reading a copy of Take a Break

and this thread is over 500 posts, so clearly it's a bunfight, but I'm just going to post this anyway and then go read the row.

I seem to have 18 Lego cups which is worrying as I am sure we only go once a week.

Its mario toys from next week!

Spero, If I want to listen to musical innovation, then I dont listen to pop music! I listen to Miles Davis, Jorge Pardo, Chano Dominguez or even Matthew Herbert or Soweto Kinch.

Pop music died sometime in the 80s. You are right in that Amy Winehouse and Kings of Leon are nostalgic acts looking back to better times, but fun all the same

I quite like the idea of Spero being the sole arbiter of taste. It would simplify so much around here plus i think her taste might be similar to mine so i'll get to keep nice stuff

Now I'm craving a Big Mac!

The fries are ok (but never enough!) but the sugary bun. Yuck. Why is it sugary? And when you bite into it all the stuff plops out the other side.
Now Miss Millies gives you a ton of fries ;-)

Pop music died in the 1980s ? Yes - IN YOUR MIND.

If you are so closed off in your tastes and your pleasures, that is your tragedy, not everyone else's lodestone.

I am glad to see that by popular (one) vote I am now the sole arbiter of taste on this thread. So today, we will all be eating smarties, noodling on the internet and then catching up with True Detective after some chicken nuggets. Because this is what I like ergo, you all will too and if you don't it's just because you are thick and probably quite common.

Do you know that jazz fans wear pants knitted out of navel fluff? Tis true fact, I know because I don't like jazz.

McD is a treat as the kids get to eat burger, chips and fizzy drink (we go the whole hog and have the full fat coke).

It is a treat because it tastes nice. So what, it's not healthy, but neither are home made organic brownies. Or organic sugar free squash.

We don't just eat to be healthy, we also eat what we enjoy, even if it is sometimes not healthy.

Quite fancy an McD now!

I knew you'd be a good arbiter. I love smarties.

As the great Rich Hall says, a jazz band is just a blues band being kicked down some stairs.

People who claim to like jazz actually really hate music. I though everyone knew this?

Join me fideline! We will be fat but we will be HAPPY!

I have not read the 500 odd other posts but I agree with the OP. McDonalds would not be a treat for us. I hate fast food crap and would much rather have some decent food (whilst listening to some jazz music )

I will be sending the ReEducation Team round to yours shortly sootica, with some Big Macs and Now Music 86. You will listen until you understand the error of your ways.

There's nothing quite like a dirty McD's breakfast.

But then we live an hour's drive from the nearest one which is in a town we go to about 4 times a year.

So for us it is a rare and occasional treat. As for why it is a treat, we generally eat a healthy, balanced, home cooked diet. Sometimes something unhealthy is a treat,whether it is chocolate, cake or crisps. however is not a treat, it is an essential.

My DC know and understand that every once in a while it is OK to eat junk, but to do it all the time is not a good idea.

And in McDonald's they get a toy and a balloon as well as food. Plus it tastes good.

Doesn't have to be a McD's breakfast though... could be a lovely massive fry-up in a greasy spoon caff. The sort where the plastic seats are attached to the table. Equally unhealthy and just as much of a treat.

I don't hate McDonald's but I go more often here than I did in the UK. That's not very often though but I think they are good at what they do, the new share boxes feed a family for 15e, they deliver and the mccafe range is cheaper and better than Starbucks and costa and most branches here have comparable interiors to those. I also love some of the different things on the menu they have at this time of year for orthodox lent and they are the cheapest place on the seafront to buy an ice cream.

ISeeYouShiver
"I want a dirty burger and an ice cream that's 3/4 newspaper and I want to eat it in my car, on the overpass, while reading a copy of Take a Break"

This sounds like my perfect afternoon! Off for a mcds for my lunch after reading this!

The fact is I've paid a lot of money for shit food in the past. Expensive steaks that are as tough as old boots, that sort of thing. At least mcdonalds is consistent! The burgers taste nice and the chips are crunchy and delicious

You've got my vote too Spero. You had me at Buffy

I have not been a mumsnetter for long but have come to the conclusion that some of these posts are made up and posted just for a reaction. Or that after 50 years I have been very very naïve about what makes people tick!?