# McRant **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 30, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701 "2003-09-30T15:08:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/41 "2003-10-02T01:32:16Z")
I’m more puzzled by the automated upselling that goes on at my local Taco Bell: ::pulls into drive-thru:: \ “HELLO!! Would you like to try one of our Fiesta Steak Burritos??” "Uh, no, I’ll have \ \ “OK, so that’s \. Please pull around.” ?? What is the point of playing a voice recording of some smooth mouthpiece asking me if I’d like to try something new? If I said yes, would the automated voice continue? “GREAT!!! Please pull around for your delicious Fiesta Steak Burrito!!!” Does that approach actually work on anyone? “Gee - he sounds so enthusiastic and professional! I’d love to buy a Fiesta Steak Burrito from him!” And what happens when they’re crushed by the sight of the non-automated guy handing them their food? “Hey! Where’s that smooth-talker that took my burrito order?!” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/42 "2003-10-02T03:27:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UnuMondo \* > \*\*Sure, if cooking is your main hobby, cooking is your profession, or you’re just a loser with nothing better to do. I don’t fit into any of those three choices. > > Yeah, I live right down the street from one. And on weekends when I’m usually bound to the house with studying, that trip provides me with a nice opportunity to see daylight at least once a day. A who says McDonald’s doesn’t encourage healthy living? > > Ooh, and you sound so cool and edgy calling it a “fat food joint”, just like those awesome Windows users who call Linux “Lunix”, or the Linux fanatics who hate “Micro$oft”. :rolleyes: > > If you think kids began to nag their parents for stuff only after McDonald’s came to exist, I’m recommend taking a rehab stint to get off those stupid pills and then reading a history book. > > I don’t see the problem with these upselling techniques. Sure, if you eat there rarely you might be caught off guard, but if you’re a regular you are already used to how to reply. Take me for instance: > > **UnuMondo:** I’d like a McChicken menu, supersized – > > **Cashier:** What to drink? > > **UnuMondo:** – with a Coke, for here. > > **Cashier:** Would you like a desert? > > **UnuMondo:** No thank you. > > Is that so hard? In any event, I question if McDonald’s pioneered upselling. The place with the most pushy upselling when I lived in the US were electronics shops like Circuit City who have the extra warranty of questionable value. > > After three-going-on-four years of eating McDonald’s daily, I’ve always remained around my usual weight of 55 kilograms (I think that’s about 120 - 130 lbs), which is rather low for a guy. My physician informed me at my last physical that he deeply envies my low cholesterol level. So, it looks like your prophecy of doom doesn’t look very probable. > > UnuMondo \*\* The evidence continues to grow that **Cecil** has not yet begun to plumb the depths of ignorance on this planet. Fortunately, with folks like you around to perpetuate stupidity, he’s got a long career ahead of him. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/43 "2003-10-02T03:30:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UnuMondo \* > **Sure, if cooking is your main hobby, cooking is your profession, or you’re just a loser with nothing better to do. I don’t fit into any of those three choices.** Oh, I forgot to add that you fit very nicely into the last of your three categories. Please do us - and any future possible progeny - a huge favor and don’t procreate, 'kay? ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/44 "2003-10-02T04:48:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chefguy \* > \*\*The evidence continues to grow that **Cecil** has not yet begun to plumb the depths of ignorance on this planet. Fortunately, with folks like you around to perpetuate stupidity, he’s got a long career ahead of him. \*\* Sure, **Chefguy** , complain about the ignorance of my post but don’t bother to actually try to respond to its points. That makes Cecil proud. :rolleyes: UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/45 "2003-10-02T05:20:24Z")
I’ll respond to your points while I wait for you to respond to my request for a cite. > [@](#): > > Yeah, I live right down the street from one. And on weekends when I’m usually bound to the house with studying, that trip provides me with a nice opportunity to see daylight at least once a day. A who says McDonald’s doesn’t encourage healthy living? Ever hear of just taking a walk? More healthy than the walk _and_ the fatty meal. And I walk to my crack dealer, does that make me healthy? (Yes, I’m kidding) > [@](#): > > Ooh, and you sound so cool and edgy calling it a “fat food joint” That’s what it is. Just as a room with a shitter is a bathroom, a powder room, and a restroom. > [@](#): > > just like those awesome Windows users who call Linux “Lunix”, or the Linux fanatics who hate “Micro$oft”. Yup, that’s on topic. > [@](#): > > taking a rehab stint to get off those stupid pills At least its an origional insult… kinda. ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/46 "2003-10-02T05:45:19Z")
I haven’t heard anyone out there claiming that Fast Food Nation is factually inaccurate, but I know that most conservative and libertarian takes on it I’ve read disagree greatly with the author’s conclusions and proposed remedies : [http://reason.com/0111/cr.gf.chewing.shtml](http://reason.com/0111/cr.gf.chewing.shtml) [http://www.nationalreview.com/weekend/books/books-kern012701.shtml](http://www.nationalreview.com/weekend/books/books-kern012701.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/47 "2003-10-02T06:11:23Z")
Who the hell cares if **Unu** eats at MickyD’s 3 meals a day, 7 days a week? Is it hurting you? Sheesh. Buncha nosey nellies in here. ---
**Author:** ![RexDart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b77776/32.png) [@RexDart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RexDart)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/48 "2003-10-02T06:22:34Z")
I _hated_ upselling, but was pressured to do it when I worked in food service (at Subway, to be precise.) Seriously, if a customer doesn’t ask for a cookie or chips, he probably doesn’t want them. Badgering him about it probably won’t change that, and if he does cave in then at what cost? I always thought it equivalent to harassing the customer, and at the least somewhat rude. So I never did it when the manager wasn’t around. Anyways, for my money, McDonald’s is cheap, easy, and tasty, a solid alternative to preparing something at home. I don’t know how to cook anyway, so really it’s McDonald’s or yet another batch of Mac&Cheese, Hamburger Helper, frozen pizza, or whatever I can do with the George Foreman Grill. That $1 menu, right there for me 24/7, that’s pretty nice. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/49 "2003-10-02T06:56:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lezlers \* > \*\*Who the hell cares if **Unu** eats at MickyD’s 3 meals a day, 7 days a week? Is it hurting you? > > Sheesh. Buncha nosey nellies in here. \*\* I doubt if anyone would care if he hadn’t announced that anyone who’s not a professional chef and cooks is a loser. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/50 "2003-10-02T06:58:32Z")
People were giving him shit before he made that comment. See **Techchick68** ’s post. Rather confrontational, with no provacation. Went downhill from there. ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/51 "2003-10-02T07:18:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Smeghead \* > \*\*I doubt if anyone would care if he hadn’t announced that anyone who’s not a professional chef and cooks is a loser. \*\* Where did I say that? I specifically mentioned cooking as a hobby. If people actually like to cook, good for them. I’m just not in that group. UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/52 "2003-10-02T11:20:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Smeghead \* > \*\*I doubt if anyone would care if he hadn’t announced that anyone who’s not a professional chef and cooks is a loser. \*\* He was _not_ the one to start this little shitstorm. **Techchick** was. She just couldn’t resist telling him that he doesn’t “know how to shop or to cook.” (Personally, I’d like to know where she gets English muffins, eggs, cheese, _and_ ham, all for 50 cents, since it would be about double that even at the discount market around here, but that’s a whole other issue.) She could have made the point that there are cheap fast meals to make at home without sounding condescending and confrontational about the choices he makes, but instead chose to go with the cheap insult. **Unu** responded with the point that he considers cooking to be a less efficient use of his time than, say, studying. He elaborates that there is almost always something better to do with one’s time than to cook, unless you happen to enjoy cooking, get paid to cook, or have absolutely nothing else to do. And then the Cooking Police had to start in about how very wrong he is, and how he’s just a loser going around insulting people, blah blah blah, bullshit bullshit bullshit. So you’re wrong on two counts, I’m afraid. He clearly included people who cook just because they like it on the non-loser list, and it seems pretty obvious that _some_ people cared before he ever made the post you’re referring to. ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/53 "2003-10-02T14:53:27Z")
Thanks for the support **CrazyCatLady**. I really don’t understand the invective that liking McDonald’s raises among some people. Outside of the Board I’ve noticed that people who can be perfectly fine with smoking or relatively hard drinking will violently yell at me if they know my eating habits because “McDonald’s is an evil organisation that destroys one’s health”. I don’t judge other people for their tastes, and in fact envy people who can get by perfectly fine on healthy things like fruits and vegetables and fish, which seem pretty bland to me. So, I don’t really get why I get bashed for my eating preferences. UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/54 "2003-10-02T14:56:36Z")
Hey! I defended you before **crazycatlady** , dammit! Where’s my love? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/55 "2003-10-02T16:04:29Z")
**Lezlers** , I love you even if **Unu** doesn’t. As for why people get so whipped up about McDonald’s, I think it’s the huge corporation thing, myself. People react differently to them than to any of the other big fast-food places, just like they get far more whipped up about Walmart than any of the other huge chains of discount stores that sell everthing under the sun like say, Kmart or Meijers. When pressed for what makes this one company substantially different from the others in its class, these folks are often at a loss. It just _is_, you see. Ridiculous, yes, but people often are. If you’re like me and can make a list of 40 things you’d rather do than cook, and that list includes other household chores, you might want to try my solution. Find someone who cooks to marry. And I mean _COOKS_. You’ll have to do most of the cleanup afterwards, but it’s beyond worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/56 "2003-10-02T16:18:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrazyCatLady \* > \*\*If you’re like me and can make a list of 40 things you’d rather do than cook, and that list includes other household chores, you might want to try my solution. Find someone who cooks to marry. And I mean _COOKS_. You’ll have to do most of the cleanup afterwards, but it’s beyond worth it. \*\* Unfortunately, I don’t think I’d be compatible with someone who prefers cooking to intellectual pursuits. That’s just me. In any event, I don’t think any home-cooked meal can compare to the goodness of a McChicken and McDonald’s fries. That’s just me. UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![Viscera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/258eb7/32.png) [@Viscera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Viscera)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/57 "2003-10-02T16:52:17Z")
Back when I was in school, 4-8 years ago, I worked at Mickey D’s. It wasn’t that bad, considering. When I worked the counter or drive-thru, we really didn’t get any hard and fast rules for “upsizing”. I was also an assistant manager my last couple of years, and never caught any flack. If a customer said, “I would like…blah…, that’s all” then I wouldn’t upsize, period. The customer was confident in what they wanted, and I wasn’t going to convince them otherwise and potentially annoy them. If we were having a promotion, and/or the customer sounded a little confused trying to place their order, I would by all means make some suggestions or “upsizing” pitches. However, I wouldn’t push it, I personally wanted them to enjoy the experience (whatever that’s worth). Hell, I can’t tell you how many times I would restructure an order to match up the value meals, even if they only wanted say 3 sandwiches, a couple of fries, and some drinks, saving them several dollars, and mention that to them, that it would be cheaper to do it “this” way. Even now, when I go to a fast-food joint, I don’t have an intimate knowledge of the menus, especially with the speed they seem to switch today, so if the counter employee makes a suggestion, I will at least consider it. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/58 "2003-10-02T17:00:35Z")
Mondo, Don’t just say “They hate me for what I eat”. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UnuMondo \* > \*\*Unfortunately, I don’t think I’d be compatible with someone who prefers cooking to intellectual pursuits. \*\* **Techchick** may have jabbed at you, but you soon let off on everyone in the thread. The loser comment was a bit rough and there really wasn’t a need for > [@](#): > > I’m recommend taking a rehab stint to get off those stupid pills > [@](#): > > You don’t want to respect one’s tastes, and are obsessed with stopping people from eating at a particular restaurant which shouldn’t harm you 'cause you never eat there. Nobody said “You, **UnuMondo**!! Yeah, you! I hereby state that you shall never enter another McDonalds, for if you do you will have severely insulted me!” Its a debate on taste, some people are saying they mind McDonalds, some are saying they don’t care. Now stop acting as if the other side just tossed your #3 value meal. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/59 "2003-10-02T17:02:15Z")
Argh. I should preview. After that first quote please insert “I know many very intelligent cooks.” Back to your regularly scheduled thread. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701/60 "2003-10-02T17:39:24Z")
**clayton\_e** , would you just shut the fuck up already? So the guy doesn’t like to cook? Oh my god-neither do I! If that’s a crime, then jail me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcrant/204701.md?page=4)