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Opinions on Mac Donalds needed for Radio 5 interview tomorrow

215 replies

Carriemumsnet · 14/04/2005 17:13

Hi all

Justine's going to be on the Victoria Derbyshire phone in tomorrow morning 10-11am

The topic is:

It's now 50 years since McDonald's opened its first store in the US. Obviously since then its become a global power?but with the film super-size me and the anti-obesity campaigning, we are asking - "Has McDonald's had its day?"

Obviously because of how McDonald's markets itself towards kids and families, parents opinion is vital in this. Does the parent of today still take the kids to McDonald's for a birthday treat?once a month treat?or do we really now feel too worried about what's in the food? Do we think giving our kids a bit of what's bad for them as a treat is actually a good thing?or is it that we're actually impressed with the moves McDonald's have made to introduce healthier options..and after all - they know how to keep the children entertained!

Your views please!

Thanks as always

OP posts:
sobernow · 14/04/2005 20:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

aloha · 14/04/2005 20:49

It's not the food, it's the horrible environment that gets me. As I said before, a room with striplights and plastic chairs bolted to the floor are not the kind of thing that makes me think "ooh this is a nice place to be". I think it's depressing. I'd rather eat in my car.

JanH · 14/04/2005 22:03

Haven't read other comments but DS2 - aged 12 tomorrow and a big McDs fan - and I got Big Mac value meals on the way home from an early evening footie match yesterday.

We had had a 2-for-1 coupon through the door; picked them up from the drive-through and ate them at home 5 mins later - lovely apart from the pickle [gag]. He had Coke and I had Tropicana oj.

I would never choose to eat in there, but think that the burger meals, esp when chips are fresh, are very good. (I actually prefer Burger King but they are thin on the ground round here.) AFAIK the meat in the burgers is carefully sourced and good quality? DS2 used to eat McNuggets but since seeing JO and his skin-and-fat blender recipe has gone right off those.

Our family has never used McDs much but hasn't been affected either way by publicity. They do seem to be handing out lots of freebies (like our coupon) lately though - is this significant?

cod · 14/04/2005 22:04

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goreousgirl · 14/04/2005 22:09

I think it's not so bad now - never used to take dd there, but now I will because she wants a toy, and it's occasionally handy to pop in. However, she won't eat the chips (I do tho' )She drinks the organic milk, nibbles at the carrots and fruit bags and will eat 1 chicken nugget - so she'll eat more fruit in that intake than a meal at home... I'm a happy camper - and it's cheaper than buying a toy in a shop.

zaphod · 14/04/2005 22:16

I like the food personally, and we go maybe once a month or six weeks as a treat for the family. There are no freebies here in Ireland, that I am aware of, but they have a great Eurosaver Menu, where you can get a burger, fries, and coke for Euro 2.50, and a quarter pounder for 2 Euro.

At least they are giving people an option by providing a more healthy choice.

suedonim · 14/04/2005 22:35

We use McD's maybe once or twice a year but it has to be said, it was a real treat, when we lived in Indonesia, to have a McD's!!

It probably has had its day, tbh. As Aloha says, they are depressign inside and I've never got used to eating without cutlery. But it's a free country and no one has to eat in McD's. If no one liked them they wouldn't still be in business - bit like MG-Rover, really.

oops · 14/04/2005 22:59

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whatsername · 14/04/2005 23:03

Haven't read anything except the very last post, but I agree entirely with Oops

oops · 14/04/2005 23:19

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whatsername · 14/04/2005 23:26

Ok, I've read a few more now, but not right the way through.

Personally I would never take my kids to McD's.

They are a wholly unethical company concerned only with profits. This whole 'healthy (pah!) menus' thing isn't because they care, it's because that's what people are beginning to demand.

McD's play a large part in the destruction of rainforests. Cheap beef.

They are rubbish employers.

Their animal welfare record is appalling.

And aside from all that their food is full of crap.

I'm a vegetarian, so quite frankly the idea of putting even the finest organic meat into my precious children's bodies is repulsive to me, but McDonalds? Urghhh, never in a million years.

whatsername · 14/04/2005 23:28

Again, I agree with Oops. These big corporations are destroying our planet and we just sit back and let them. It's horrific.

Oh, and add cynical manipulation to my list of objections.

oops · 14/04/2005 23:33

Message withdrawn

jasper · 14/04/2005 23:35

I worked full time for McDOnalds for a year in 1983.
Hygiene standards are better than most hospitals I have worked in.Their raining methods were barking mad in many respects.

Think they are a fantastic example of a successful company and the phenomenon of how some people hate and mistrust success on a grand scale.

The supersize me film was a ridiculous piece of hype. One of the finest restaurants in the country is a few miles from my house and If I had breakfast lunch and dinner there every day for a month I would be fat and ill but I don't see anyone queuing uo to make a film about Lochgreen house.

LOVE their food but don't eat it too often . Am going there tomorrow for lunch. QP with cheese and a hot chocolate. Fab.

whatsername · 14/04/2005 23:35

Right, I'm going to bed now too, chat another time about this, yeah?

jasper · 14/04/2005 23:35

should read training methods

sallyenglebertstrawberry · 14/04/2005 23:38

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jasper · 14/04/2005 23:40

I also think some people talk a lot of misinformed nonsense about McDonalds, it really seems to annoy them how successful they are.

oops · 14/04/2005 23:44

Message withdrawn

BigGayDad · 14/04/2005 23:45

McDonalds is crap food, all tied up to markettng to make money for a large faceless corporation. It is crap tasteless, lazy food (no chewing required) that has helped the nation get to where it is in feeding our children. If they only eat McD no wonder its such a shock when they have decent food. If we hate them who do we protest to/ shoot! Microsoft its Bill Gates, Virgin its Richard Branson but Ronald McDonald is just a brand.

We should all go to the new McJamies opening at a school near you.

whatsername · 14/04/2005 23:46

What, how successful they are at manipulation and exploitation? How successful they are at destroying huge swathes of irreplacable rainforest? How successful they are at breaking all the rules of animal husbandry? How successful they are at contributing to the failing health of many nations?

sallyenglebertstrawberry · 14/04/2005 23:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whatsername · 14/04/2005 23:49

Plus, new legislation is coming in, partly because of the McLibel trial which will make it virtually possible to protest, even peacefully.

It is utter coporate bollocks.

oops · 14/04/2005 23:51

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oops · 14/04/2005 23:58

Message withdrawn