Bye bye happy meals? (Full Version)

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thishereboi -> Bye bye happy meals? (4/28/2010 8:57:26 PM)

I'm sorry, but I feel sorry for the parent who can't tell their kid no and has to rely on the government to make sure their kids don't eat too much crap. Actually, it's the kids I feel sorry for.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/apr/28/happy-meal-toy-ban-california



Aylee -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/28/2010 9:13:44 PM)

Hmmm. . . unless these toys are made in California, wouldn't this interfere with interstate commerce?



Termyn8or -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/28/2010 9:14:24 PM)

Saw something on the news about that.

Made me think "AHA, now that's why kids always want to put their toys in their mouth".

T



BKSir -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/28/2010 9:17:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

Saw something on the news about that.

Made me think "AHA, now that's why kids always want to put their toys in their mouth".

T


Well, they're far healthier and better tasting than the "food" from McDonalds, that's for sure...



DarkSteven -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/28/2010 9:34:14 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aylee

Hmmm. . . unless these toys are made in California, wouldn't this interfere with interstate commerce?


Only if it is challenged in court.

McDonald's will likely abide by the ban and see how much their sales drop off.  If it's substantial, then they may want to challenge in court and risk the hassle and image issues that would entail.



Termyn8or -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/28/2010 10:24:51 PM)

FR

Wanna see this turn into a PR dream ? (this is all me, not a quote nor construed as anything but as their optimum plan)

"McDonald's is as concerned about public health as anyone and has examined this issue in detail. Worldwide we will no longer include toys with happy meals, until existing suppiles are exhausted. Instead they will now include a puzzle, either visual or simple, a sheet like in a coloring book and a crayon. The crayon will not be packaged with the happy meal. It will requested by the customer at the ordring desk, at which time they can choose from the standard 64 crayon colors. Later other colors may be added. This wil achieve our goal of enhancing the McDonald's experience for the customer without avoidable issues.

This will achieve the goal of a responsible company. First of all we do not make toys, we make food. We make our own food to sell and the well being of the children must be considered, so we have decided not to trust a third party any longer. Also, it is not inconcievable that such a practice may cause youngster to put their toys in their mouth not knowing where they have been.

There are even more factors, but it has been determined that we must, if to be considered responsible, discontinue the practice. "

Turning a loser into a winner is my game. What does this do for them ? Well think about why they have an edge. Mass production. For mass production to be an asset the key is product uniformity. If they just "overcomply" it might be their best bet. They could introduce "healthy meals" or something, but still offer the "classic" menu choices. Public opinion would skyrocket, unless everyone is as cynical as I. I really doubt that. What's more they can claim that now they are doing something good, that they have adapted to the need of their customers. And they are seriously ready for something like that. They have been repeatedly criticised "their food is junk", and rightly so. They can use this to turn that image around, or they will become extinct.

Where is their head office ? Maybe I should go apply for a job in PR. Should I dress, or show up naked :-)

T




thishereboi -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 4:13:38 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aylee

Hmmm. . . unless these toys are made in California, wouldn't this interfere with interstate commerce?


Not sure, but a good question.



thishereboi -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 4:19:17 AM)

quote:

They could introduce "healthy meals" or something, but still offer the "classic" menu choices.


In our area, they offer apples slices in place of fries and juice in place of soda. But I guess that's not good enough for the kids in CA.

I'm still not sure why the parents can't just control their own kids. They had some lady on tv last night going on and on about how awful it is to have your kids nag you for McD's. And how this law would make it so much easier on the parents?



LadyAngelika -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 4:39:01 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi

I'm sorry, but I feel sorry for the parent who can't tell their kid no and has to rely on the government to make sure their kids don't eat too much crap. Actually, it's the kids I feel sorry for.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/apr/28/happy-meal-toy-ban-california



I think this is brilliant! Obesity is a huge issue and this is one positive step in the right direction.

This morning, I saw a stupid McDonald's commercial that made me want to hurl my shoe at the screen (but I didn't). Essentially, it said, if you are having a bad day, why not have a whip cream and chocolate sprinkled desert coffee and call it "me time" and then you'll feel better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEui8Tt6rbs

Why not tell people that they should just have a beer? Because for people with eating disorders that have been taught all their life that food will make you feel better, it is the same thing. I know as I have struggled with this all my life.

What our society is creating is a bunch of food dependant emotional eaters, when you feel bad, mommy will buy you an ice cream and give you a cookie because food is your friend and will make everything better OR you've been so good that you deserve a treat and that is food (and with the happy meal a toy as well). It is all interconnected and I'm sure part of McDonald and the like's strategy for creating dependants on their products.

This cycle has to stop. Reward needs to come another way.

- LA



LadyAngelika -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 4:40:45 AM)

quote:

I'm still not sure why the parents can't just control their own kids.


Because apparently, they can't. Did you see the stats on childhood obesity in the US? I'm not sure if they've declared it one yet, but it qualifies as a pandemic. When you have a pandemic, you need to take drastic measures.

- LA



thishereboi -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 4:51:56 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyAngelika

quote:

I'm still not sure why the parents can't just control their own kids.


Because apparently, they can't. Did you see the stats on childhood obesity in the US? I'm not sure if they've declared it one yet, but it qualifies as a pandemic. When you have a pandemic, you need to take drastic measures.

- LA


Well if they can't then maybe they should rethink becoming parents. Stop trying to be their kids friends and start acting like parents.

But then again it's so much easier to let the government raise the kids. Maybe the solution is to take the kids away from the parents when they are 5 and not give them back until they are 18. Obviously the stress of trying to control the kids is too much for the parents.


This reminds me of a coworker many years ago, who came into work in tears because her 17 year old was in Mexico on a graduation trip. It was a time when there was a lot of trouble down there and she was convinced her little girl would end up kidnapped, raped or dead. When I asked her why she let the kid go, when the media had been warning parents not to let their kids travel there, she said "well I couldn't say no, she get's mad when I try to control her". I asked her where the kid got the money for the trip, she said she had to give it to her, because her daughter got mad when she tried to refuse.

So I guess it's better to have your daughter killed then to have her mad at you?

Yea, much easier to have big daddy be the bad guy.[8|]



thishereboi -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 4:54:20 AM)

quote:

This cycle has to stop. Reward needs to come another way.


We rewarded our kids with camping trips, movies and trips to Henry Ford not fast food and chocolate. Oh and we didn't need big brother to tell us that was the better way. It's just a shame so many parents can't do this on their own. I really feel sorry for their kids.



divi -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 4:57:11 AM)

For parents its hard for them to control themselves let alone their kids with bad eating habits



thishereboi -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 5:00:46 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: divi

For parents its hard for them to control themselves let alone their kids with bad eating habits


And this is an excuse for what? If they can't teach their kid not to overeat, how the hell are they going to teach their kid right from wrong? Where would you draw the line?



DesFIP -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 5:06:46 AM)

It sounds like unnecessary government interference. I took my kids out after karate when they were little. Neither the meal nor the toy did them any harm. Now me stepping on those damn things barefoot, maybe.

But childhood obesity is a result of mothers needing to work, and kids not being safe to run around on their own so they go home and stay in the house. Latchkey children are more likely to be alone and bored and overeat. Kids whose parents can afford good childcare won't get free access to food and tv, instead they do go out and play.



divi -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 5:11:04 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi

quote:

ORIGINAL: divi

For parents its hard for them to control themselves let alone their kids with bad eating habits


And this is an excuse for what? If they can't teach their kid not to overeat, how the hell are they going to teach their kid right from wrong? Where would you draw the line?


Well they should not be stuffing big macs into their mouths first off.  Kids learn from their parents.  For example my parents never allowed any fast food in my house growing up. Parents make excuses saying they dont have time to make a home cooked meal and well fast food is fast.  So I draw the line there.  I order out a lot of our meals and I make sure they're healthy ones.    My son loves McDonalds.  I get him a hamburger or nuggets, apple slices and juice.  He is not obese and I cant see him getting obese eating a happy meal every so often. 



barelynangel -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 5:14:51 AM)

I think its sad, i think its pathetic -- happy meals WITH toys have been around for HOW LONG? Hell what's next going to make McDonalds take down there little parks also because that is what the twins, my niece and nephews bugged us to go to McDonalds for. I mean come on folks, its NOT the businesses fault parents have no sense of boundries and the businesses shouldn't have to suffer due to the government coming in and deciding that because SOME PEOPLE -- yes NOT ALL KIDS are obese not ALL people are obese, so the government is deciding to play responsible parent? Sorry that crap doesn't cut it.

It takes education not limiting, it takes communication not taking things away, it takes training not making it unaffordable.

If McDonalds starts losing money because of this i hope they do take it into court. Telling a store -- and that's what McD's is a store that sells a product that they cannot utilize a campaign they have been using for what over 40 years because the government wants to stop people from buying them? I mean seriously?

Perhaps instead of worrying about McD's -- they may want to put their focus on things THEY DO CONTROL -- like school lunches, pop machines in schools, vending machines in schools. taking away PE classes or cutting them down, cutting out a lot of sports etc etc. But i guess its easier to go after McD's cause well gee, focusing on something that is already under their control would be too easy.

angel



divi -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 5:15:24 AM)

Also, honestly I kind of like the idea now of fast food places displaying the calories of the foods.  It makes me make better choices on what I order for myself. 



LadyAngelika -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 5:18:39 AM)

quote:

It sounds like unnecessary government interference.


Des, if there wasn't a pandemic of obesity in the US, I would be in agreement with you. But there is a pandemic of obesity in the US and therefore drastic situations require drastic measures.

For the same reasons that there are more and more tobacco bans and that the FDA bans certain ingredients from their lists, this is for the greater good of society.

Now I find myself erking when I type this because I'm usually all about personal choice and pushing individuals to make wise choices. But in this rare case, I'm all for the measures taken. Your country is working towards universal healthcare but the system will not be able to withstand the strain on it with the increasing demands of insulin and other medication for high blood pressure and heart disease.

- LA




Arpig -> RE: Bye bye happy meals? (4/29/2010 5:24:39 AM)

Stupid, just plain stupid



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