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AIBU?

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Original poster

To want to faint in McDonalds?

470 replies

TheLowestFlyer · 12/04/2021 12:18

DH has slowly introduced a regime of positive reinforcement that, for a wide range of reasons, means I have to take the DC to McDonalds once a month for a sit down meal. This produces a physical response in me that makes me want to, first, gag and then faint. I assume it must be the vaporised oil in the air, the terrible food odours and weird and discoloured plastic decor (and the hyperactive and frankly unappealing toddlers screaming around whenever we go?). Whatever it is, it triggers a really intense response from me and I basically dread these scheduled outings and have to choke back vomiting for the whole meal.

Unfortunately the DC have become really emotionally invested in these going to MacDonalds (to what I think is a really unhealthy level) and DH's schedule means that I am unquestionably the only one who can take then. How do I extricate myself from going to McDonalds? Has anyone else weaned their DC from depending fast food? They genuinely love it, especially the earth-killing toys they abandon minutes after leaving Sad

OP posts:
Stoppissingonmyheather · 14/04/2021 11:25

You "want" to faint... But you don't... This means you are not going to faint but it is all in your head this means you need to see someone about therapy and they will more than likely tell you you should confront your fears ie:keep going to McDonald's realise you wanting to faint is not the same as actually fainting and then you will also realise it is just a phobia that can be overcome Or you may find out you are severely allergic to the smell of ketchup in which case you can tell your partner to take them himself. Simples

Ifixfastjets · 14/04/2021 11:36

He sounds controlling.
If he wants to "reward' ds with maccies, he takes ds.
If you think ds has earned a reward for something, you organise it.
Something better than crap food and plastic crap.
Collect him from school (age?) With a new book/football/trip to the park.

Blueeyedgirl21 · 14/04/2021 11:38

I think you need medical attention. It is not normal to have this response. You probably need an ECG

CrazyHorse · 14/04/2021 11:41

Eh? Just say your DC have been really naughty and the can't go.

Or change the reward. You are the grown up.

80sMum · 14/04/2021 11:42

Oh, OP I hear you! YANBU! I loathe McDonald's! Unfortunately my grandchildren like it and I do very occasionally go there.

I agree, it smells strongly of cheap, overused cooking fat, which is very unpleasant - and of course the food itself is pretty revolting and, imo, only to be eaten as a last resort, when nothing else is open or available.

But, for me, it's the noise that gets to me the most. The constant loud voices, children shouting, just the general frantic hubub is so very off putting.

I think McDonald's deliberately makes its "restaurants" very garish and loud, to encourage people to eat up and get out as quickly as possible in order to make way for the hordes that come after them. It's like a conveyor belt.

fairburn · 14/04/2021 11:46

I love a fast food snobbery thread.

What miserable bastard can't enjoy a burger once a month

icdtap · 14/04/2021 11:56

On the back of this thread I had to go to McDs yesterday. I didn't feel the need to faint but as they are only open for takeaway I wasn't there too long and didn't have to mix with any lower class types - you know those people who shower only once a day and don't wash their towels after every use?
The McDs food did not kill me either... not yet at any rate.

derxa · 14/04/2021 11:56

@DustOnTheWind

How do you feel about The Sistine Chapel?
Grin
midnightstar66 · 14/04/2021 12:12

Simply don't go. If it's an expectation it's no longer a treat - or get a drive through and sit at a park bench so they also get a fun play time along with it. You are 100% exaggerating at not being able to wash the smell of their hands, of course that washes off in fact if they okayed after it would be gone by the time they got back in the car. What a bizarre thread, but can someone please link the Sistine chapel one please 😆

Scrumbleton · 14/04/2021 12:24

Oh god this has made my day.
Sistine chapel standard for sure!
BTW the smell in Subway does make me feel nauseous

Pickledpenguin · 14/04/2021 12:29

If it were me I would have snapped and farted.....

(already been said? Havent read the full thread)

fairburn · 14/04/2021 12:30

@Pickledpenguin

If it were me I would have snapped and farted.....

(already been said? Havent read the full thread)

It has probably already been said. Like every vaguely 'funny' thread
Pickledpenguin · 14/04/2021 12:31

I found that one hilarious actually.

Plumtree391 · 14/04/2021 12:36

This is a funny thread :-), I'm glad I joined Mumsnet.
I like McD's btw and never felt faint. Haven't had a Mcd for ages, maybe its time.

Original poster
TheLowestFlyer · 14/04/2021 12:57

@80sMum

Oh, OP I hear you! YANBU! I loathe McDonald's! Unfortunately my grandchildren like it and I do very occasionally go there.

I agree, it smells strongly of cheap, overused cooking fat, which is very unpleasant - and of course the food itself is pretty revolting and, imo, only to be eaten as a last resort, when nothing else is open or available.

But, for me, it's the noise that gets to me the most. The constant loud voices, children shouting, just the general frantic hubub is so very off putting.

I think McDonald's deliberately makes its "restaurants" very garish and loud, to encourage people to eat up and get out as quickly as possible in order to make way for the hordes that come after them. It's like a conveyor belt.

Yes I think the harsh lighting also plays a role? It's a black hole opens in my stomach followed by a great wave of nausea Confused

I can't just not take them any more - it would be absolutely crushing as they've become so dependent on it and they would see me as the villain. Framing your partner as the enemy isn't part of the Autonomous Parenting strategy, and I'm not sure they would blame him even if I explained the situation to them.

OP posts:
fizbosshoes · 14/04/2021 12:58

I took my DS for a McDonalds this week. We ate it on some grass nearby, it was lovely. (I have to say I'm not keen on the smell indoors despite actually liking the occassional maccy d.)

BlueDahlia69 · 14/04/2021 13:06

I can't just not take them any more

don't go there again

Siepie · 14/04/2021 13:11

Framing your partner as the enemy isn't part of the Autonomous Parenting strategy

Refusing to go to McDonalds wouldn't be framing your partner as the enemy Confused

But more generally, why keep using a 'strategy' that isn't working? Fancy buzzwords don't make for better parenting.

Quartz2208 · 14/04/2021 13:14

No one should become dependent on anything

Why does he refuse to take them at the weekend - you do realise that the slice of your life you are painting is that your DH started something that he cant/does not want to and you have to

You can just explain that it makes you feel ill and that you cant do it anymore - your strategy is suppose to stop overparenting and giving children what they want.

Continuing to take them seems to go against everything it is suppose to achieve

Wharehina · 14/04/2021 13:16

My 8yo DD is the same, OP: she can’t stand the smell of McDonalds, and starts retching if we ever try to buy breakfast there. She won’t even try the food - the thought makes her gag.

kowari · 14/04/2021 13:22

@Wharehina

My 8yo DD is the same, OP: she can’t stand the smell of McDonalds, and starts retching if we ever try to buy breakfast there. She won’t even try the food - the thought makes her gag.
DS is the same with aeroplane food. The last time we flew he was 10 and sat holding his nose at every meal and ate nothing.
Blueemeraldagain · 14/04/2021 13:22

If you truly believe your children are “dependent” on Macdonald’s you need to stop taking them there for that reason alone.

Also, your husband sounds like a prick.

GCAcademic · 14/04/2021 13:24

This reminds me of the time a colleague walked past McDonald's at the very moment another colleague was emerging from it. He looked stricken with horror and blurted out "I was only in there because the kids begged me!".

I actually really fancy a McDonalds now. Tuna salad lunch didn't cut it.

KeyboardWorriers · 14/04/2021 14:06

Do tell me more about this "autonomous parenting philosophy" , it seems to be working out really well for you Grin

Plumtree391 · 14/04/2021 14:41

Do you feel faint in anywhere other than McDonalds? I once felt ill in Boots.

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