McDonalds Response to My Question

Hello Heather:

Thank you for taking the time to write McDonald's and to share your thoughts with us about our Happy Meals.

I'm sorry you're disappointed with some of our Happy Meal programs. First, please be assured that none of our toys are meant to be gender-restricted. Rather, all of our toys are meant to be enjoyed by all our younger customers -- both girls AND boys.

When we offer a Happy Meal with two different themes, our employees have been specifically trained to ask customers which of the two toys offered that week they would like, and not whether they would like a "girl" toy or a "boy" toy. I'm sorry if you've experienced anything different.

Please be assured, we would never want any of our promotions, games or premium items to disappoint our customers. Because you're a valued customer, your comments are very important to us, and have been shared with our Marketing staff for their on-going review.

Again, thank you for contacting McDonald's. We look forward to serving you for many years to come.

Lisa
McDonald's Customer Response Center

I kind of want to do a sting or undercover investigation.  I'll talke my Flip Cam with me and record what the Crew Member says when I order a Happy Meal!  I might just do that!

My Question for McDonalds

I have one pet peeve for McDonalds, so, I finally sent them a message about it.  This is the message:

Why when I order a Happy Meal, does the crew member ask, "Do you want a girl toy or a boy toy?" I find this very sexist!  They need to tell me what the toys are and ask, like, "Do you want the Barbie or the Hotwheels?"  What if my little girl wants the "boy toy" or my little boy wants the "girl toy?" When asked the original question, you are putting constraints on children of what they can/will choose just due to titles.  When I was a crew member during college, I always said what the toys where.  I even had all of my fellow crew members doing it.  And yes, some parents are obnoxious and say things like, "My son better not want a BARBIE!"  But that's the parent's choice to teach the child ignorance. 

Please retrain crew members to not be sexist!  I've always loved McDonalds since a young child, and I worked there as an adult.  I know sometimes the people that work there aren't shown by others how they should do things properly in this industry.  I don't know why there are always two options for toys now anyway! It didn't used to be that way! You just got the toy that came in your box! 

I also know it will take a HUGE national effort to get this one little thing trained, but it could be included in the obligatory sexual harassment training or something.  This really hurts my feelings!  I don't even have children yet, but when I do, if this is not changed, I will not be taking them to McDonalds for a "Girl or Boy" happy meal!

We'll see if they send me a real response, or if I just get a generic, "We are sorry about your concerns, blah,blah,blah!"  The last time I complained about Target, that's all I got. I'll keep this updated on what they send me!