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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU- 8 year old has never been to McDonald's?

238 replies

early30smum · 03/08/2017 20:12

This is not a stealth boast. She has been to plenty of other places like Byron, GBK, pizza express, Nando's, Wagamama etc and I'm under no illusion that they're any better and actually some are probably worse for her. She's happened never to go to a party where the food bit has been at McDonald's. DH likes it and if he's grabbing food after work he might get a burger on the way home. I'm not fussed on it. DD (and DS but he's only 4) have never really been bothered about it, like if we stop at services they've never asked and like going into M&S instead and picking up picnic type stuff on car journeys. So the 'need' to take her has never arisen. But a few of my friends are a bit Hmm that she's never gone. AIBU to think it's not a huge deal?!

OP posts:
Scrumpernickel · 03/08/2017 23:06

I've never been to Nando's or Harvester either. Is Harvester like a Toby Carvery?

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 03/08/2017 23:08

I've never heard of Harvester, and I only went to Nando's for the first time a couple of months ago (though I thoroughly enjoyed it).

Carriecakes80 · 03/08/2017 23:12

Lol, I can beat you! Wink my 15 yr old has never eaten a McDonalds. And we are your everyday family of six, my eldest son likes it but he's not too bothered, my daughters love the nuggets but nothing else, and my 15 yr old son has been a veggie since the age of 4 and so blooming fussy with his food (he decided to go veggie after his Nan told him why she was) and he's stayed that way since! We have had loads of weird reactions to him not only being vegetarian but also disliking things like chips and sweets, he just says he has no taste for them, but will happily eat an entire toffee cheesecake if his brother makes one! lol.

However, the toys might be shit, but I made a small fortune by selling my old Mcdeedee toys that I got 25 years ago! lol. x

RiversrunWoodville · 03/08/2017 23:13

My dd1 (7) likes McDs and as she really struggles in school if she did well in a spelling test and was asked what she wanted as a special treat she'd pick that (much to dd2s delight) unfortunately this doesn't happen anywhere near as much as I'd like but she tries so hard! I didn't mind before but having turned veggie after an illness in march I'm not so fussed (the cheese stick thingys are ok)
Never heard of Byron maybe not in NI?

EB123 · 03/08/2017 23:14

I have never been to loads of places including Nandos, Harvester, KFC, Burger King please, Starbucks, Costa. It isn't a big deal really!

My kids love the odd McDonald's though, it is quick, easy and they love the free toys.

Waddlelikeapenguin · 03/08/2017 23:18

My 9, 6 & 2 have never been to McDonalds, KFC or burger king but i haven't been in any of them for at least 15 years so ...

Otoh they all eat chippy, chinese or indian take away.

Liiinoo · 03/08/2017 23:26

We live in a London suburb with many MCs all around. For this area you would be statistically unusual but not worthy of comment. YABU to ask the question.

SasBel · 03/08/2017 23:27

Mine have not been to any of the places mentioned above, simply because there are no places like that near to where we live. Sure they will seek them out when they are teenagers though Grin

Fanciedachange17 · 03/08/2017 23:29

It's not a big deal. There are much better options and it's only clever advertising that might make someone question it. As my DD says, "I'd rather be a llama in a field of sheep". Do your own thing.

LeMesmer · 03/08/2017 23:30

DS has only been a couple of times for birthday parties. Never been to any other UK chain restaurants but we don't live in the UK so he wouldn't. I don't like McDonald's so we don't go there, but we have lots of other places we can eat (which is not always the case in the UK).

They go or not OP, some kids do and some kids don't. Why bother posting to say your child has never been to McDonald's ?

missiondecision · 03/08/2017 23:34

I was 15 before Id been in MacDonalds. Just saying....

MistressDeeCee · 03/08/2017 23:51

Well I wasn't in habit of taking my DCs to McDs either. When they were old enough to hang out with friends I thought McDs was their 2nd home at some stage. They're in their 20s now so they don't bother with all that now. But you will soon realise that what you instill in your DCs when younger won't always stick with them especially when you're not there.

When they're early teens and hanging with friends do you truly think they're going to be heading into M&S or similar to pick out picnic food etc...?!

Its a "nothing" issue anyway why would your friends even mention it? Unless of course you've been banging on "my DCs have NEVER been to McD's", of course...if so then they're likely wondering as McD's and similar is everywhere. Or they're trying to wind you up whenever you mention it

beggingbehind · 03/08/2017 23:57

One of my Dc's lives on the stuff.. but he works there Hmm

redsquirrell · 03/08/2017 23:58

I hate McDonalds. I've never taken my kids there and never will. Why should I? The food's rubbish and the place is skanky. I'd say you were being unreasonable if you wanted to inflict that on your kids!

Floggingmolly · 04/08/2017 00:00

Here's your little medal, red. 🏅

Scrumpernickel · 04/08/2017 00:01

Re. being 'skanky', I'd bet your average McDonald's is far cleaner than your average restaurant.

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 04/08/2017 00:08

I'm 27 and I've only been in Maccy Ds to buy a bottle of water (once) and use the loos (once). I was not allowed to go as a child and I've never felt the need. I'm fatter than some friends who've grown up with it so horses for courses. But I never feel I've missed out and I didn't develop a fixation with it. I don't judge anyone for going, I just choose not to. But I have other food vices and no doubt your DC eventually will, too.

PickAChew · 04/08/2017 00:11

Neither of mine like it. It's no big deal.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 04/08/2017 00:14

Re. being 'skanky', I'd bet your average McDonald's is far cleaner than your average restaurant.

You're right. I work there and it is exceptionally clean; we have very high standards.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 04/08/2017 00:15

redsquirrell You couldn't be more wrong.

PearlyPinkNails · 04/08/2017 00:16

How do your friends know? Do you tell them?

I think that's a bit odd. Does she want to go? Take her. If not, forget it.

hiphopcat · 04/08/2017 00:28

@redsquirel

I hate McDonalds. I've never taken my kids there and never will. Why should I? The food's rubbish and the place is skanky. I'd say you were being unreasonable if you wanted to inflict that on your kids!

What a horrible, obnoxious post! As a couple of another posters said, McDonalds have very high standards of cleanliness and hygiene, and have regular checks from gapbusters who do mystery shopping and inpromtu visits. And they rarely find any issues.

The snobbery towards McDonalds and people who use them (from some posters on this thread) is breathtaking. And the general snootiness that people don't even realise they have is laughable... 'I am better than you because my children have never frequented this filthy chavvy hole that only common people visit (people probably on benefits who live in council houses! Blah blah blah vom )

And no I am not being 'defensive.' I just find this utter desperation to insist you have never been to (or let your kids go to) a fast food place, utterly laughable.

Now go away, and eat your avocado and quinoa on your home made fucking bread! Hmm

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 04/08/2017 00:32

have regular checks from gapbusters who do mystery shopping

We don't have gapbusters ("mystery shoppers") anymore; they stopped that last month or so.

Everything else you said is correct though Grin We have exceptionally high standards of hygiene and we do get impromptu visits from inspectors, area managers etc. on a regular basis.

Sashkin · 04/08/2017 00:38

Subways are amazing in places like the rural US which are crap for vegetarians. I remember one trip to Wyoming where I ended up losing over a stone because I literally couldn't find anything to eat apart from breakfast. Finding a Subway was such a relief I nearly cried when I saw it.

I agree they're a bit pointless here when you can just go to Pret, but I still have a soft spot for Veggie Delights.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 04/08/2017 00:40

I agree they're a bit pointless here when you can just go to Pret

I've never even seen a Pret. In fact, until this post, I'd never even heard of it.

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