RSS FeedDowntown McDonald’s: Portal To Another World
I have a theory. You might have to bear with me on this one but here it is…downtown DC McDonald’s are portals to other places. Open up the golden arches, goodbye DC and hello another world. I recently stopped in at the Verizon Center McD’s on 7th Street and the extra sensory overload went something like this…
In one corner between the soda machines and the register counter, there was a 67 year old lady dressed in a white pants suit you might see in an office. She was cleaning the counters and dancing to Jeffrey Osborne’s 80s hit “Stay With Me Tonight” booming over the speakers. How do I know she was 67? She told everyone, of course. She’d also help you count your change if you wished. There was also a guy nearby who would help you select and fill your soda. Neither worked for McD’s.
In the rear, was your friendly McD’s doorman jingling a soda cup asking for change. He’s the guy who opens the door for you but isn’t a McD’s employee.
As I was waiting for my sundae, I was asked for money…twice…by the same woman about five minutes apart. I kindly reminded her that she already asked me for money and said “Not tonight.” She complemented me on my politeness which was nice enough. No golden arches pin on her lapel.
Then, there was the disheveled guy, somewhat erratic in his walking going into the woman’s john. I’ve seen that at rock concerts though so I think he just thought he was at a Kid Rock show. I didn’t see the floppy red shoes with the yellow laces so I know he wasn’t Ronald McDonald.
Where does this cast come from? Another world is the answer. This is not to bemoan those providing “support services” at the local McD’s. Their plight is not so great. It does reflect on both our society and our social safety nets that people feel that this is their best option for earning a living or keeping a semblance of a roof over their head. (Paging Mayor Fenty…paging Mayor Fenty…please pick up the downtown issue courtesy phone.)
The only experience I can liken it to was when I visited the Taj Mahal in India and was constantly pitched by locals who wanted to show me the best vantage point for taking a photo. I’m not bemoaning them either. But that visit, you might say, was also to another world.
Ed. Note (after posting): The above experience took place on a weekend night at about 10 pm and in this post’s context, bemoan means “to regard with displeasure…” ref. Merriam-Webster Online.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Now did you ever go to a McDonald’s in India? That & Pizza Hut were two of the swankiest restaurants in the city I lived in when I was there. Also one of the few public places you could escape people looking for money.
Hey — no need to be snarky (and I am FAR from rich). But I believe that many long time residents in DC need to visit other places in the US to know that this (panhandling and other things) is not the way people need or have to behave. Things that are acceptable in DC would not last a week elsewhere. I thought it was an excellent post. I will never go in that McDonalds if it allows panhandling. My charity dollars will go directly to organization that support the poor like Street Sense, Gospel Rescue Mission, etc… Giving to people on the street in this neighborhood just buys crack and vicitmizes the local residents and workers.
(to #1)
Please come to France and get a taste of what a real 1st world country is like.
It’s worth noting that I’ve been living in Paris for the past 8 months and do plan on returning to the US. However I have lived the majority of my life in very under-developed 3rd world countries. So the fact that this happens in the CAPITAL of the United States of America is especially shocking.
America needs to take a good look at itself!
This is the only city that I have ever been to, lived in, or heard of where panhandlers don’t just work the street in front of a restaurant but actually venture inside. If you tried this in most places, even panhandler friendly Salt Lake City, you would be asked to leave or removed from the premises.
I’ve written corporate to complain numerous times, but all I ever get is a courtesy phone call assuring me that it will be dealt with. Promises, promises.
Luckily, it is pretty easy to avoid that McDonald’s since there are two more in the immediate vicinity. (6th & E and 9th & E)
It is nice to see the tables and chairs were removed outside the McDonalds and Chipotle. Unfortunately this only attracted the local rif raf causing trouble. I was in the area twice this weekend and noticed a difference around these two establishments. Was that in response to complaints filed with McDonalds?
The panhandlers here are among the boldest that I have seen anywhere.
As for McDonalds, I am not even comfortable walking past it, as it is so dirty both inside and out. The fact that there is a very unkept person at the door trying to hustle money from me is even more reason to not step foot in there. But from the looks of the people that go in there, it apparently doesn’t bother them or hurt the establishments business. So why should they care what the rest of us think?
Back to the boldness of the pandhandlers of this city…
A couple Saturdays ago, we entered Zantinya for lunch. A panhandler was hustling some young women at one of the booths near the patio door. The waitress kept asking him to move on and he just stood there. After much coaxing, he finally went onto the patio, where he stood at our table as she sat us down. She chased him away again. He proceeded to go to another table, and after several threats and bringing out the manager, did he finally leave. (It took at least 15 minutes)
Even the so called “gypsies” in Spain are not this agressive.
that particular spot..does kinda seem like the “bar scene” in star wars….if you can find a wookie and a spaceship in dc..its prob just the kinda deal that would be brokered in there!!
but..i dont let it bother me..i just try to appreciate the surreal aspect of it all..
xoxo
Isn’t this pretty much standard operating procedure for ANY Mcdonalds downtown? The ones near Foggy Bottom and the White House are particularly depressing.
How’s this for an idea….don’t eat at McDonalds!
They are among one of the most evil corporations on earth….
A few ‘fun facts’ to consider:
McDonald’s are the world’s largest user of beef. Methane emitted by cattle reared for the beef industry is a major contributor to the ‘global warming’ crisis.
Every year McDonald’s uses thousands of tons of unnecessary packaging, most of which ends up littering our streets (last time i walked past the 7th street steps to the Portrait Gallery, they were littered with McD wrappers)or polluting the land buried in landfill sites.
McDonald’s promotes some of their food as ‘nutritious’, but the reality is that it is junk food – high in fat, sugar and salt, and low in fiber and vitamins. A diet of this type is linked with a greater risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other diseases.
Yes, they are a cheap and quick solution but do your body and the world a favor and skip the trip to McDonalds!
Ok, preaching complete. Gosh, but it just boggles my mind that so many seemingly intelligent people continue to eat there.
Just a thought….perhaps all the crazy people you speak of got that way by eating too much McDonald’s food? It’s not beyond the realm of possibility – their food can kill you, so it can probably make you crazy too.
longtimedcresident – you owe PQ Living $1.4183. we only take greenbacks.
monkeyrotica – I patronize the McD’s on 17th (White House) once a week and I find it to be properly run. yes, there are homeless that sit in the front of the restaurant to get respite from the elements but they are not aggressive, they don’t bother anybody and many usually read the paper and/or eat their food like any other patron. when they do ask for money it’s always outside. I’d also add that I’ve found the service at the White House McD’s, with rare exception, is up to par, friendly and efficient. I can endorse it without qualms.
Big Mac
Calories 540
Total Fat 29 g 45%
Sat. Fat 10 g 50%
Trans Fat 1.5 g
Cholesterol 75 mg 25%
Sodium 1040 mg 43%
Total Carbs. 45 g 15%
Dietary Fiber 3 g 12%
Sugars 9 g
This about says it all.
Anon #17 & #18….
Yes, the original post was about panhandling and not the dangers of eating a high fat diet. But, I truly think that the fact that aggressive panhalding is going on specifically at McDonalds IS relevant. You rarely if ever see homeless panhandling in any other local take out joints. I have never been bothered at California Tortilla, Subway, etc.
We ALL enjoy a bargain. But the $1 menu at McD’s does appeal to the homeless (and borderline homeless) types. Not to mention the proven facts that the high sugar and sodium content can make people develop a kind of addiction – a ‘craving’ for more. Oh, I’ve gone over to the nutrition subject again, sorry. But really, with all of the complaining you do about bad McD’s experience, YOU keep going back, right?
In response to “longtimedcresident” (post #1), I call your 1 euro bet and raise you 2 euros that I will NEVER be approached for money when I eat my salads at Chop’t (when are they opening!?)
The McDonald’s on 7th is a public nuisance. The management is too lazy to actually manage the establishment and they turn a blind eye to all these characters harrasing customers inside and pedestrians outside. While McD’s isn’t in the business of baby sitting, management should be taking steps to at least try and control the problem. Even though I don’t eat in McD’s I, still feel the effects of this negligence every time I walk by the place. Sounds like a petition should be sent to McD’s corporate with a copy to the media. Needless to say, it sure wouldn’t conform to their marketing image.
The issue here is not whether the food is healthy or not, but whether McD’s is a good neighbor, which they are not.
There are plenty of high-end, highly respected restaurants in the neighborhood with equally unhealthy food choices, but they make decent neighbors.
Besides, these characters at McD’s are not craving fast food. If you believe that, go ahead and offer to buy them a burger, and see the reaction you get.
I think we should complain to Verizon Center management as well. I was panhandled while in line to buy a movie ticket inside. They just have to manage these panhandling issues better and more aggressively.
Veggie,
We can go back and forth, I just think your cause and effect is a little bit of a stretch.
As you have stated, the $1 menu is appealing to the homeless, in addition to the fact that McDonald’s tend to stay open later than most establishments along with the managements inaction, the fact that most people who go there pay cash and not credit as is the case with most higher class establishments, are among the contributing factors to why homeless panhandle there as opposed to other places.
As for ME, I generally avoid McDonalds unless I am on the road and starving are there are no other choices. But thats irrelevant.
Maybe we should make this a DNA issue. I agree that that McDonald’s is a horrible neighbor and a horrific pit of decay and despair. Seems like it will take collective action to effect any kind of positive change there, given McD Corporate’s apparent disdain for individual complaints.
(Disclosure: I don’t eat at McDonald’s; I don’t eat meat. OK, maybe “meat” is a stretch to describe some things they serve, but anyway, I don’t go there.)
If Mcdonalds was a liquor store or nightclub and behaving this badly, they wouldn’t get their license renewed. And last time I checked, you needed a license to sell food in DC. Just a thought.
I am sure it will do absolutely no good and is just a standard response, but I submitted a comment / complaint on McDonald’s web site about this location and noted that it was such a community eyesore that it was discussed on this blog. This is the email response that i got back
Thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald’s to bring your concerns to our attention.
We take your comments very seriously and because we are a franchised organization, we have immediately forwarded them to the franchise owner of the restaurant you visited. We are certain that the experience you described will be fully investigated and the appropriate action taken.
Again, thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Trista
McDonald’s Customer Response Center
ref#:XXXXXXXXX
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
ha ha! welcome to DC! rich kid.
Most of the world is very very poor compared to Disney PQ. your american dollar is worth less and less. maybe next time you vist the Taj Mahal your american dollar won’t buy you a postcard, and you will be begging for a stamp.
(1 euro says this won’t get posted).