Thursday, June 11, 2009

The X “M” Factor

The boys ate sparingly during dinner, because they were saving their stomachs for a treat later.

Surprisingly, so did we – my sis and I.

Impatiently, we counted down to our planned supper as the clock ticked away. When the bill was called, the anticipation grew.

Finally, we arrived at the all-too-familiar place where we were greeted by the all-too-familiar Uncle Ronald McDonald with his big cheesy smile and wave.

Loading up on the burgers, fries, toys and desserts, we happily took off in our car and headed home. 

Everyone sat around the table and we started our supper party. As we eagerly tucked in the spread in front of us, memories of our dinner just thirty minutes ago were cleaned away as the crispy fries went down into our stomachs.

I sat there, eating my fries and couldn’t help thinking – why do kids love McDonald’s so much? And I realised that not only children love it, this fastfood restaurant has been with me throughout the years.

I remember how I used to hang around McDonald’s when I was an undergraduate. All my friends and I needed were an order of fries and Coke and we were good to stay there for 5 hours. 

I remember how McDonald’s was, by default, the breakfast place when I stayed up with my friends over a sleepless night – studying, playing mahjong or having a barbeque during my teenage years.

I remember how my eyes would light up each time I passed by McDonald’s when I was around 8 years old.

And now, McDonald’s is a place where I please my little nephews and nieces with the Happy Meal toys, those French fries, burgers and ice-creams.

McDonald’s is really not just a fastfood chain. It has been there in my generation, is here in this generation, and I believe, will continue to be here in more generations to come.
It is, as what my cousin puts it, the only food that we know is certainly safe to eat (in terms of food hygiene and taste) when we are overseas and everything look foreign.

I totally agree.

McDonald’s has kept up with its unique ability to continually attract people of all age groups. I call this their X “M” factor.