Ban Ronald McDonald?

[pErvinalia]

True. But if we can stop it before it happens then I think that is better option, IMO.

Banning a clown doesn't stop it.

I know. But it will reduce it.

[Coito ergo sum]

[Coito ergo sum]

True. But if we can stop it before it happens then I think that is better option, IMO.

Banning a clown doesn't stop it.

The article I posted seems to indicate that despite all the efforts of CIA and others to put pressure on McDonald's to limit their marketing targeted at children, that it hasn't affected their bottom line. So, if banning a clown isn't going to stop it, then why is McDonald's so adamant about holding on to Ronald and the Happy Meal?

They're not. Ronald McDonald is rare in McDonald's advertising. And, the Happy Meal is something their customers like, and whether McDonald's decides to call something a Happy Meal ought to be as much up to you and me as whether you and I name our dogs Fido and Fifi, or something else.

My guess is that the reason why their bottom line hasn't been affected much is because all the marketing to children in the past was effective...they created a generation of adults that are addicted to McDonald's and are now customers for life. If they were to limit their marketing to children today, the effect would only be realized later on when those children become adults.

My guess is that people like the food there and it's at the right price.

Why do people go to Starbucks? Because they're "addicted" to Starbucks and are "customers for life?"

[sandinista]

I don't know. Why can't your kids get a few smokes every now and then? Bloody do-gooders. Next they'll ban alcohol from kids.

If you were talking about banning the food because it is dangerous, then you would have a point. But, you're not. You're talking about banning a clown. And, some other folks are talking about banning toys.

and you're talking like advertising and advertising "characters" have never been banned. Look at smoking. Not sure how it is in the states, but cigarette ads are banned everywhere, the same should be done for fast food...or the smoking ads should be allowed. One or the other.

[Santa_Claus]

NEWS FLASH!

Since this thread started Ronald McDonald has died.

From old age. and boredom.

[Coito ergo sum]

I don't know. Why can't your kids get a few smokes every now and then? Bloody do-gooders. Next they'll ban alcohol from kids.

If you were talking about banning the food because it is dangerous, then you would have a point. But, you're not. You're talking about banning a clown. And, some other folks are talking about banning toys.

and you're talking like advertising and advertising "characters" have never been banned. Look at smoking. Not sure how it is in the states, but cigarette ads are banned everywhere, the same should be done for fast food...or the smoking ads should be allowed. One or the other.

I agree. I oppose the ban on cigarette advertising too. I oppose the ban on pot advertising as well.

In plenty of enlightened western countries, there are very low and even no cigarette smoking ages. Isle of Man and the Netherlands have no smoking age at all. They have a minimum purchase age of 16 in the Netherlands. I think the same goes for Greece, Hungary and Poland. The assumption seems to be that it goes without saying the cigs should be illegal. I reject that notion.

[Coito ergo sum]

NEWS FLASH!

Since this thread started Ronald McDonald has died.

From old age. and boredom.

[Gallstones]

Meh, staph is on everything. As long as you have a healthy immune system it is nothing to worry about.

Right.
Also, the source for staph contamination of meat is the same source for staph contamination of produce and baked goods. Unlike produce, meat is typically cooked to temps that kill staph, so a person would be at greater risk eating an apple.

[Gallstones]

I don't know. Why can't your kids get a few smokes every now and then? Bloody do-gooders. Next they'll ban alcohol from kids.

So, you think that food = tobacco and booze?

Fast food (McDonald's) is food. You can tell because "food" is in the name.

I have read that BBQ produces carcinogens. Therefore BBQ's must be outlawed.

[Coito ergo sum]

Meh, staph is on everything. As long as you have a healthy immune system it is nothing to worry about.

Right.
Also, the source for staph contamination of meat is the same source for staph contamination of produce and baked goods. Unlike produce, meat is typically cooked to temps that kill staph, so a person would be at greater risk eating an apple.

Great point. That is why you NEVER go to dive pub and get a salad. You know, if it's a place that serves burgers, fries and deep fried appetizers and whatnot - do NOT get a salad. Far more chance of getting some sort of thing from the produce than the deep fried pickles.

[Gallstones]

True. But if we can stop it before it happens then I think that is better option, IMO.

Banning a clown doesn't stop it.

The article I posted seems to indicate that despite all the efforts of CIA and others to put pressure on McDonald's to limit their marketing targeted at children, that it hasn't affected their bottom line. So, if banning a clown isn't going to stop it, then why is McDonald's so adamant about holding on to Ronald and the Happy Meal?

My guess is that the reason why their bottom line hasn't been affected much is because all the marketing to children in the past was effective...they created a generation of adults that are addicted to McDonald's and are now customers for life. If they were to limit their marketing to children today, the effect would only be realized later on when those children become adults.

I eat there. The food is cheap and the restaurant is close to where I work. I like the salads and the yogurt parfait (although I think the latter is too high in sugar). Right now I can get a large drink for $0.50. I like a cheeseburger from time to time and I like fries. My son had birthdays there in the days when they still had a play room. He has eaten many Happy Meals and yet, he is not stealing from me or the neighbors to get money for a daily Big Mac fix. He will eat unsweetened cereal, natural peanut butter, whole wheat bread and any kind of raw vegetables--even those most adults here go ewww over. Moral of this anecdote is, he hasn't been harmed and neither of us are addicted.

[Coito ergo sum]

Gallstones, you've just been brainwashed by decades of McDonald's advertising to the point where you can't think for yourself, and it is impossible for you to resist the siren call of the golden arches....

I know they have oatmeal and fruit at the top of their breakfast menu, and there are several kinds of salads, and one can get juice and milk instead of soft drinks...but, you are powerless against the call of the two-all-beef-patties-special-sauce-lettuce-cheese-onions-on a sesame seed bun.... your will has been broken.

And, you are addicted. Tell me that a day goes by where you don't eat food. I bet that if you go more than 8 hours without food, you start feeling the physical effects of being without the drug. Your body cries out to replenish it...you might even get light headed...and you'll do almost anything to get food. It doesn't help that restaurants and supermarkets are on every corner, and you can even get food out of vending machines and at gas stations. There is no place you go where the reminders of food aren't in your face. You can try to quit, but do you have the willpower.....?

[Gallstones]

And every time I go there I get asked wouldn't I like to try one of their......Asian Salads currently.......and I think to myself, "My god, they are pushers wanting me to get hooked on even more of their food". And yet, I can't bring myself to just say no.


But, what McDonald's doesn't know..... ......is that I........."cook" my own, so I don't have to rely on them.

[pErvinalia]

yes, funny thread is funny. Nevermind the valid points that were raised and were strawmanned.

1000 Posts! Woot!

[sandinista]

yes, funny thread is funny. Nevermind the valid points that were raised and were strawmanned.

1000 Posts! Woot!