BS: McDonald's

Subject: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:15 PM

Recently, when I went to McDonald's, I saw on the menu that you could have an order of six, nine or twelve Chicken McNuggets. I asked for a half-dozen nuggets. We don't have half-dozen nuggets," said the teenager at the counter. "You don't?" I asked. "We only have six, nine, or twelve," was the reply. "So I can't order a half-dozen nuggets, but I can order six?" "That's right." So I shook my head and ordered six McNuggets.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:17 PM

Make you feel better? You're 'smarter' than some dumb teenager?

You must have a pretty sad and pathetic life if that's what it takes to get ya off.....

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: MMario
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:20 PM

not just kids...at my archery range you can get arrows by the dozen. The price is listed as $2 for 12 arrows. People will walk up and hand me $4 - and the conversation goes like this.

me] 'You'd like two dozen arrows?"

them] - NO, I'd like two sets of twelve.

me]So you'd like a total of 24 arrows.

them] No, I want 12 and another 12 for my friend.

me] two dozen then.

them] - no, two sets of 12 please.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:22 PM

Clinton Hammond,

Aren't you the guy who brags about how he suckers Costco for refunds on perfectly good stuff you've used for a year or two?

At least I PAY for my McNuggets.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Becca72
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:22 PM

That has to be one of the oldest "Email" jokes out there...seen it a dozen times.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:27 PM

How dumb are you? I haven't 'suckered' Costco for anything!!

What a moron.....

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:28 PM

They must be university graduates MMario

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: MMario
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:30 PM

Becca - the reason you keep seeing this is because it happens; over and over and over again.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: mindblaster
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:30 PM

It's a case of six of one and a half dozen of the other

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:33 PM

Fess up clinton how many stars have you got?

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Becca72
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:49 PM

MMario, while I agree that the level of intelligence is slipping rapidly in the service industries, my point really was that GUEST made this story up and did not actually have the experience him/herself. It has been part of an email joke that's gone around dozens of times...the next part is about the girl at Taco Bell asking for "minimal" lettuce and being told they only had iceberg. It didn't really happen to our esteemed GUEST.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: MMario
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:53 PM

I don't see why not. The exact scenario he/she related has happened to me - at least three times I can recall.

As I said - the reason this keeps circulating is because it *happens*

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST,esteemed GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:55 PM

Yeah Becca72, you're right.

But there's always somebody like Clinton Hammond who'll buy into it hook, line and sinker.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: MMario
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 02:00 PM

BTW - it is not the level of intelligence that is slipping - many of the people behind the counters have no lack of intelligence; however, most of them are extremely poorly educated, poorly motivated and poorly trained. Intelligence alone cannot create a success in most circumstances.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Emma B
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 02:11 PM

A large part of the "problem" is in the so-called "training" they receive. Responses are standardized and do not allow the individual to deviate from the "hymn sheet" I have had similar problems when trying to arrange car insurance in advance on a private purchase in order to drive it home - after being asked several time the same question "when did you purchase the car?" I lost my cool and the woman at the other end agreed it was an inappropiate question but she was instructed to ask it and was monitored.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Becca72
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 02:35 PM

About that you are right GUEST.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: gnu
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 02:54 PM

Amazes me the lack of training. Everywhere and everything. Especially when handling money. Simple things, like Queens toward you, coin before paper, count large bills first... And what's with all the items with no price in view?

Here's a good one just happened just yesterday. The sign said $3.99 per pound. The plastic package said 453.6 grams. The cashier rang it in... $4.71. I pointed out that $4.71 was incorrect. Well, that's what it rings in at. I explained that the sign said $3.99 and the package said 453.6 grams. She called the super. Same deal. We have to ring them in by the pound, so the weight on the package is meaningless. Do you still want them? Yes please and thank you.

Anyway, I am enjoying my cherries. You get them free when they charge you the wrong price. Oh, I had to explain it to the manager, but he is a buddy of mine. And so are the cashier and super, now. Not that I am a prick... it just bugs me when people are lazy to the point of arrogance.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 03:01 PM

I drove into Burger King and ordered a small coke. I was told that they only have medium, large or extra large.    Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the word "medium" represents a middle ground between two extremes. How can "medium" be "small"?

Reminds me of George Carlin's issue with "Jumbo Shrimp".

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: gnu
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 03:09 PM

You mean JUMBO shrimp? Hand me that piano.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Becca72
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 03:10 PM

I worked in a grocery store for 9 years and while I'm not saying this is universal, I will say that at least in my neck of the woods any product that is sold by weight but has packaging has a built in "tear weight" (sorry, not sure on the spelling) when you enter the code for whatever product you are purchasing...so that when you enter the code for cherries the scale automatically adjusts for the programmed weight of the package they are sold in. The same is true for the salad bar...you are not actually being charged for the container.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: jacqui.c
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 03:11 PM

The same in the UK. I wanted a herbal tea, which a particular fast food restaurant did not have. I than asked for a cup of hot water (I carry some herbal teabags with me for these occasions). In spite of telling the girl that I would pay for the hot water she said that they didn't serve it. I then asked for a cup of tea without the teabag, and got it!

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: gnu
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 03:18 PM

That's "tare" weight. Container weight.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Becca72
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 03:27 PM

Thank you, gnu. I couldn't remember which way it was spelled and took a shot. You win some, you lose some. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Kaleea
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 03:46 PM

I noticed, about 30 years ago or so, that the education being given to those younger than I seemed lacking. I went into a shop & took a piece of foar rubber to a clerk to be measured & cut to size. The young girl was, at the least, in high school. I had to explain that the sign said it was sold by the foot, & that I needed 2 1/2 feet. She didn't know that a one foot section, plus another one foot section-joined together-made two feet. The had no idea how to measure half of a foot. After I explained that about the feet, I then explained that one measured less than one foot by inches. "How many inches are in a foot?" she asked me, after having just shown her how to measure the two feet on the store's yardstick. She had worked for several months in that section of the store, she told me, and everything else was sold by the yard. She knew how to measure one yard. I remember thinking, "It must be the new math."

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST,dingbat the singing cat
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 04:01 PM

I must tell you about the time I asked for a baker's dozen of bagels at my local market.

On second thought, forget it.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 04:58 PM

MMario, That conversation sort of makes sense from the customers perspective.

Sometimes I like to order precisely what is on the menu to avoid mixups.

Clinton in the second post, aren't you doing to Guest exactly what you accused him of doing to the teenager. Do you feel that you have a "sad and pathetic life"? If so, its never to late to change.



I can understand a kid at MacDonalds not know what a "dozen" is much more than a half of one. I can also understand them wanting to give you exactly what is written on the menu. But it does say something about changes in our culture.

Here's another one. Carol and I went to a beach shop on Carolina Beach. She was looking for a hat. I asked the clerk, about twenty, who looked fashionable and culturally aware, if she had any fedoras. She hadn't heard of fedoras. I said you know the kind of hat Humphrey Bogart used to wear. "Who?" She said blankly.

I guess she'll see Casablanca when they remake it with Brad Pitt.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST,Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 05:00 PM

oh yeah, same with condoms they only have 'large' or 'medium' but they didnt have any 'small' ones when I asked for them.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 05:09 PM

Ya... cause I'd log in as a guest.....

"Do you feel that you have a "sad and pathetic life"?
You WISH you had my life!

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 05:18 PM

I'm not sure it's an educational issue. Or, if it is, we're in worse trouble than we thought.... I work at a world-class university, and this happened yesterday:

Sign on the pitcher of organic lemonade says "$2.25 per glass, no refills". There are glasses right next to the sign. So, the man says, "Oh, '$2.25, no refills', how does that work?"

....sigh. Our very kind and patient cashier explained, "You fill a glass, and it costs $2.25. If you fill your glass again, it costs $2.25 again."

Not what *I* would have said to him, she's way nicer than I am. That's why they don't let me out of the kitchen very often ; )

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: dianavan
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 05:40 PM

Weights and measures are taught in school but its one of those subjects that has to be practiced at home. Learning how to convert measurements can be done in a classroom but it takes everyday experiences for a student to make it relevant.

As far as thinking goes -

Education is no longer a matter of teaching subject content exclusively. Teaching 'process' (how to learn) is much more valuable in our rapidly changing world. Most kids have learned content only (if they learned anything at all). "Rote learning and doing what your told to do (and nothing else) has more to say about the demands of the work and home environment than it does about schooling. If you are afraid to ask questions, you won't learn very much.

I, too, have noticed 'lazy' thinking or non-thinking behaviours to be on the increase. I think it has alot to do with being a passive participant. I mean how much thinking is required to sit in front of a t.v.? Some video games require strategies for winning but they are specific to the game. Young people seem to be having a great deal of difficulty transferring what they have learned in one area to a different subject area. Still others seem to know and understand but have difficulty applying it to real life situations.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 05:44 PM

"Do you feel that you have a "sad and pathetic life"?
You WISH you had my life!

As a matter of fact, I do not, and I am very pleased that I don't have your attitude.


BTW

Ya... cause I'd log in as a guest.....

I'd bet you would if you were buying small condoms. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST,dingbat the singing cat
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:02 PM

I should tell about the time I went into the local J. C. Penny and asked a sales clerk if they had any Yao/Mien Hats.



On second thought, forget it.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Don Firth
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:10 PM

Well, now. . . .

When the first Dick's 19¢ hamburger drive-in opened in Seattle in 1954, I knew the manager of the place. He told me that people would often ask, "How can you sell these for only nineteen cents?" He got a little tired of being asked the question, so he started answering, "We lose money on each individual sale, but we make it up in volume."   A few people squinted at him kinda funny, but most people seemed to find the answer perfectly acceptable.

Dick's still exists, the original in the Wallingford District, one on Broadway not far from where I live, and I think there are a couple of others around. They do crank out a pretty good burger. Check the column on the right.

They don't have the 19¢ hamburger anymore. Their lowest priced burger is the "Dick's Special," $1.60. Not too shabby.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:35 PM

"a cup of tea, without the teabag" *grin*....Yep, I know that routine!
I went to a restaurant in Colorado (Poudre Canyon) for breakfast. They had a menu with combos listed. Hashbrowns, Sausage, toast, one egg was one item. ($1.75, I think) I don't eat eggs. I asked for just the other items. "That would be $2.25" "Huh?" "You're ordering ala carte"..."You mean, you charge me 50¢ to NOT cook an egg?" "Well, that's the price for just the 3 items."
   I'll confess, I was too befuddled to just let them cook the egg, then throw it away. I wonder now if ordering "#3, hold the egg" would have made any difference.

I get practically apoplectic when clerks can't comprehend something unless it is said in the right order, with the terminology they were 'taught'. ....and NO ONE can make change anymore! And they have totally lost the concept that putting the coins on TOP of the bills makes it harder to put away!

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Becca72
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 07:13 PM

Can I drift a bit here and comment on the way these "kids" dress nowadays? As I said further up, I worked for a local grocery store from the age of 16 to 25 and we were sent home if we showed up not looking up to specifications. Jeans were NOT allowed. If our bellies were hanging out we went home to put on a different shirt. No visible body piercings or art were allowed. I'm sorry, but if you're handling the food I'm going to bring home and prepare I don't want you wearing a tank top with your arm pits and infected belly button ring all hanging out. BLECK!
I work for a law firm and I cannot believe the dress that is allowed. One girl wears capri pants and tee shirts with her lower back tatooes showing. NOT a professional environment.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Slag
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 07:40 PM

You went to McDonald's? Why?

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Don Firth
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 08:14 PM

Because there wasn't a Burger King in the area?

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: number 6
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 09:19 PM

The last laff is on Guest ... you are ignorant of what you just ate ... 6 McDonald Chicken McNuggets ... are you aware of the nutrional facts of what you ingested?

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: EBarnacle
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 10:58 PM

I wonder whether someone has a deal to get the fry oil from Dick's for biodiesel.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 11:20 PM

" the way these "kids" dress nowadays"

Thankfully this isn't the 1950's any more

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: number 6
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 11:34 PM

Good one CH .... LOL

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 12:36 AM

Google search on Recently, when I went to McDonald's, I saw on the menu that you could have an order of six, nine or twelve Chicken McNuggets.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST,CrazyEddie
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 04:31 AM

Is it me?
Sign on the pitcher of organic lemonade says "$2.25 per glass, no refills". There are glasses right next to the sign. So, the man says, "Oh, '$2.25, no refills', how does that work?"

....sigh. Our very kind and patient cashier explained, "You fill a glass, and it costs $2.25. If you fill your glass again, it costs $2.25 again."

So your cashier doesn't understand the word "refill", as distinct from "free refill"?

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: gnu
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 04:37 AM

Yesterday... Three pair of work pants, assorted small items = $86.20. I gave the young man a $100 bill and $1.20 in coin. He stared at the coins and then at me. I just said, "Ring it in." You could see the "Oh!" when the screen told him how much I was owed.

You'd think they could, at least, count.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST,KB
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 12:57 PM

I went to a bagel place and bought two plain bagels at a total cost of $1.30. I gave the cashier $2.00. He hit $25.00 rather than $2.00 for amount tendered and proceeded to try to give me $23.70 change. I tried to explain what had happened but he did not understand. He had to call the manager. This really happened and it made me feel sad, not superior.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: MarkS
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 01:58 PM

Bought a watch battery once. Lovely young shopgirl, well groomed, well spoken, polite and cheerful. Told me the battery was $ 7.99 and asked if I wanted it. Said yes - she took my watch and proceeded to put the battery in.
While her back was turned I fished around in my pocket and found
$ 8.48 in bills and coin. (Sales tax rate where I was at 6%) She hands me my watch and I hand her the money. She asks me "Whats this for?" "To pay you", I answer.
She takes the money and rings up the sale, looks at the register in wonder. As she hand me the reciept she asks "How did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Know how much to pay>"
Told her I just figured it out in my head. She looks at me and says, "Wow - you must be a genius."
Now in all my life, having been called many things by young women, that is the first time I have ever heard the word "Genius" applied to me!

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 04:29 PM

SRS...*grin*...I shoulda figured that was a C&P. Thanks for reminding me how easy it is in the digital age. (When I was a TA in college, I used to startle kids by FINDING the book they had lifted unattributed quotes from.)

At least we got some stories out of the post.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST,puzzled
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 09:07 PM

I've never heard of Yao/Mien Hats. Am I thick or is this just an experience I haven't experienced yet? Or is there some obscure pun that I didn't pick up on?

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Folkiedave
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 05:05 PM

"We lose money on each individual sale, but we make it up in volume."

Another similar slogan is "We cheat the other guy - and pass the savings onto you".

And I agree with those who are asking "What on earth were you doing in McDonalds (or Burger King)"

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 04:15 AM

Anyone who eats McDonalds shite deserves everything they get.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Emma B
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 06:23 AM

nice hats!

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 06:53 AM

Thanks Emma B - looks like they might even double as tea cosies.

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Mr Red
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 03:07 AM

I'll have a double dozen, double damask, dinner knapkins

Jan de Casalis has a lot to answer for.........

Try asking for a bakers dozen - and just to be jocular (assuming they know what that means) I sometimes ask for a metric dozen. The old ones get it - mostly.
But then when I wear Black & White and youngsters ask why I am not in red I can't tell them it is the same old joke - disguised as a newspaper (black & white & read all over) because they ain't black and white no more. It's called progress.

What I would say to the teenager would be "Tell you what, you give me 6 and I'll eat half a dozen and we can see how many are left" but if you really want to be snotty - add "if you can count that high"

Subject: RE: BS: McDonald's
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 04:58 PM

MMario: a long way back in the thread, but I understand the request for two sets of twelve arrows, "one set for me & one for my friend"
Ideally the two sets will have consistent fletchings so you can check who scored what if a single target is being used.
With two dozen for one person, they can be mixed, as there is no reason to discern which is which, or they can be all of the same pattern.

CHEERS

Nigel