The spirit of the age

by guest blogger, BroKen

I want to punch McDonalds in the nose! That may not be an appropriate expression for a pastor to make, but I feel it. Let me explain.

Several years ago, as a merchandizer for Coca-Cola, I filled the shelves, built displays, and cleaned up the back rooms of large grocery stores which bought semi-loads of Coke products. One year Krogers decided to be open on Thanksgiving day. Since they were open, we would have to work.

I was naive and thought, “No one will come shopping on Thanksgiving. They will all be home with their families.” Well... the place was packed! I wanted to run through the aisles crying out, “GO HOME! GO HOME! DON'T YOU REALIZE YOU ARE KILLING THANKSGIVING!?” I didn't, of course. I just did my job and went home, tired but grateful for the work.

Now, I just found out that McDonalds restaurants will be open on Christmas day. It makes me want to pull out my hair and scream, “WHY KILL CHRISTMAS!?”

I've told some local managers that I think it is a terrible policy. They agree with me, but orders are orders. One employee told me that they used to say, “If you can get enough volunteers, you can open on Christmas.” Apparently, they don't say that anymore. If you are scheduled, you have to work. You see how it progresses.

I called McDonalds to complain. I was told that 85% of their stores are franchises that can do what they want. Sure, they pass the buck. They don't want to take responsibility but they have it. If they told those owners that McDonalds will not be open, they would not be open on Christmas.

Of course, they will make a lot of money. But a main point of any holiday is that there are some things that are more important than making money. McDonalds and the people who go there on Christmas are saying, “No, there is nothing more important!”

It isn't the franchise owners or the McDonalds executives who make financial calculations that really make me angry. They are just as deluded as the poor souls who think a Big Mac is a fitting substitute for turkey and dressing or ham will all the fixings. No, it is the spirit behind those decisions; the spirit of Scrooge. Well, it is probably an even more slimy spirit than that old crank. The spirit is what I really want to punch.

I think I will go to McDonalds, order a cup of water (which they will give me for free, though it costs them a few cents for the cup and ice), give the person who waits on me a tip (a quarter would be enough, but a dollar would make an impact), and explain why. “That's for you. I won't buy from Scrooge. Sorry you have to work for him.” It's not much of a punch, but if enough people did it, they might feel a pinch.

 

Comments

[Fran]

Excellent post! You have given me the idea to do the same thing.

[tim aka The Godless Heathen]

“I was naive and thought, “No one will come shopping on Thanksgiving. They will all be home with their families.” Well... the place was packed!”

Therein lies the blame. Without going into a whole “chicken or the egg” debate, if people don’t go, if they spent the holiday with their families and friends…same, same with Thanksgiving.

Granted McDonald’s, and the rest, shouldn’t be open, agreed. But just like the current hyperventilating and incorrect bloviating about what is to blame for society’s ills, let’s not do the same, lazy easy route of least resistance. This country is screwed up because of people and the decisions THEY make. Time for excuses is over.

Don't go to Mickey D's on Christmas, you'll just be one more customer that worker,who you don't want to be working that day anyways, has to serve.

Sorry, BroKen, rant over.

You and everyone here at BH, please accept the best Christmas wishes a heathen can offer.

[Philippa]

I think McDonald's oughtn't to force people to work on Christmas or other holidays, but if enough people *want* to work on those days, fine. There are people who don't observe Christian holidays, after all. Who would go to McDonald's on these holidays? Besides those who don't observe those days, there are also people such as I who haven't any families, and who would find it dreary to be alone again.

[Zoe]

I have worked for people in the past just so they could be off with their families on that day, as I don't have one of my own.

I think that especially with these times, people should spend more time with their loved ones. Life ends in the blink of an eye.

But I agree with Philippa, people should have options to not work on that day.

[Zoe]

And P.S.

Happy holidays to all of you from the mystery loving atheist...:)

Try to enjoy your family as much as possible, Ken..

[BroKen]

Good to see you here, Fran. Don't be a stranger.
Thanks for the comments and well-wishes.

[Shifty1]

Just to be contrary...

Some of us HAVE to work tomorrow so that the rest of you can have lights and heat, and can power up your new toys; it'll sure be nice to be able to get a greasy breakfast sandwich and mediocre cup of coffe on my way to work...

[BroKen]

I honor and thank you for your work, Shifty. Of course their are some people who have to work, holiday or not. Police, nurses, EMTs, soldiers, and utility workers, too, all have to work. Even I have been called on Christmas Day to deal with a tragedy in the church.

I'll take the opportunity here, which perhaps I should have taken in the original post, to thank all those who work essential jobs on Christmas day. But I think you agree that the sandwich and coffee are not worth what they cost... in dollars and cents and, much more importantly, to the the culture of the holiday.

Merry Christmas to you, Shifty. Keep up the good work, but make the sandwich and coffee at home before you leave!

[Shifty1]

Ken...Ken...why do you hate me so?!?!

I already have to get up at an unholy hour (0330) to make the hour commute...now you want me to risk setting the house ablaze or giving myself food poisoning to boot! LOL!

I hear ya....I was actually dismayed when I stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way in this morning ...because I'm a GREAT boss, that's why!....and saw that they were planning on being open 24/7 throughout the holidays.

And Merry Christmas to you and yours Ken....and to everyone else!