So, the other day, I was eating at a fine fast food eatery with my good friend Claire, and we both overheard (as well as witnessed with our own two (four?) eyes) something that seemed totally out of left field to the both of us. As we were enjoying our french fries that were NOT cooked in beef tallow and our chicken that IS 100% white meat chicken, the ladies behind us were carrying on their conversation at a volume of 85. At that point, it becomes impossible not to eavesdrop. As they were preparing to leave, the little girl with them asks, "Mommy, can I get a toy?" to which the mother responds, "No, you didn't get a happy meal so we can't get a toy today. Remember, I brought your lunch. You had a wrap." Now, I suppose there is nothing out of the ordinary with a mother fixing her daughter a wrap for lunch. Quite the contrary, that is a very healthy lunch choice and, I am sure the daughter thoroughly enjoyed it. However, does it not seem a little cruel and unusual to bring your child to Mickey D's, order yourself a Big Mac with fries, and tell your little one that their lunch is in your purse? I remember when I was a little thing what a treat it was when we would get to go out to lunch or dinner. Not once did my parents pack me a meal while they partook of the menu without me. In fact, after having worked in the food industry for many years, I seem to recall that on many occasions, parent would actually bring a sack of happy meals with them to the steak place since junior wouldn't eat what was on the menu. Never had I heard of such an abomination as bringing your own lunch to McDonald's. I asked Claire if I had heard correctly, and I assumed that I had seeing as how her chin was somewhere in the booth below the table. However, we both resolved, "Whatever. We aren't parents. Not our choice to make" and left it at that.
Yet, not 15 minutes later, we were again surprised. As we were packing ourselves up to head out of the fine eating establishment, we made the obligatory ladies' room pit stop. On our way out of the restroom, we passed by a table where both people had spread before them not the fatty, delicious goodness that is McDonald's, but the salads and sandwiches they brought with them. Now, it seemed a little more understandable for a parent to deprive her child of such fatty goodness, but for two people to occupy a booth at the restaurant and bring their own food with them seems a little odd. Claire and I left laughing, in fact we were almost doubled over, planning our next lunch date.
E: "Hey, why don't we grab lunch next week?"
C: "Sounds great. How about McDonald's?"
E: "Perfect! I'll bring the Subway, if you'll remember the salads and dressing from home."
C: "That sounds fantastic. Should I also whip up a creme brulee for dessert?"
E: "HAHAHA!!!!"
C: "HAHAHA!!!!"
On a much different note, have you seen the line up for Memphis in May Musicfest yet?!?! I'm peeing in my pants because I am so excited. If you need to know why, please search through and read some of my previous posts.
