What's wrong with a polo shirt and visor as a uniform? It's what Davis Love, Vijay Singh, David Toms, etc. wear to work, and they seem to make a pretty good living.

Nothing is wrong with a polo style shirt but the Ralph Lauren brand polo runs at $85. If I worked at McD's I rather management get a $5 shirt at Wal-Mart and put the rest of the cash in my hand.

I don't get it. How does this story demonstrate hostility to everyday America? Elitism, sure; but hostility?

Brandon -

You really had to listen to it to fully appreciate the snide condescension. It was partly in jest, but in the manner that elites make fun of the little people.

a ridiculous proportion of Americans have worked there and probably 99% eaten there and he compares it to a concentration camp or whatever?

Ah, but OJ - no one HE KNOWS has ever eatend there, or at least none of them would ever admit to it.

Ah, but OJ - no one HE KNOWS has ever eaten there, or at least none of them would ever admit to it.

Have any of you actually seen Jay McCarroll? Trust me, he's eaten there. A lot.

One in eight Americans has, in fact, worked for McDonald's. I am among them. They were actually not too bad an employer, all things considered. At least they realized that I would rather have been somewhere else and appreciated my presence. The movie theater I worked before then felt I should be honored to have their minimum wage position.

Please, do not pick on the Jay McCarroll.

He is the rustic Pennsylvania innocent who is doing his best to fit into the social ways of the big city. That he should adopt the chic and ignorant attitudes of the worst, it is the example of the peer pressure. The Manolo, he trusts that the Jay he will eventually outgrow this phase.

sounds like he is outgrowing his pants, already.

Only in America would flipping hamburgers in an air-conditioned, hygienic environment wearing clean clothes provided by their employer, using the most up-to-date equipment so even those who can't make change or read can earn far more than they're worth, be considered the bottom of the barrel.

I imagine people living in less idyllic lands can think of a great many worse ways to make a living like working in a coal mind, or a public restroom, or picking cotton or forced labor digging ditches.

Yeah, and who cares about the bottom of the barrel types and how they feel everytime they hear a broadcast commentator or see an ad by an employment agency rubbing it in that they're at the bottom of the barrel.

In fact, they're there learning marketable work habits and preparing themselves for the next step up in our great mobil economic system. Some are paying their way through school, helping their families and supporting themselves. They all deserve respect and dignity for their efforts.

Otherwise ... I haven't any strong feelings on the subject.

Wow! Manolo the Shoeblogger reads and comments on the Brothers Judd! Politics, social commentary and super fantastic shoes! I think I'm in heaven.

I am grateful that when I had a job at Shoney's, picking up garbage and enduring what I imagined (wrongly, I think) were the sneers of my peers, I didn't have to wear a stripy clowny uniform like at McD's.

Last week, I was interviewing the Father of Macroergonomics (small family), who told about consulting with a large company. After one talk, a guy came up and said, 'I've been here 32 years, and you're the first person who ever talked to me as if I were an adult.'

McD's has treated its employees like children, as proven by the silly uniforms.

Goodbye polo shirts and visors, hello Ralph Lauren, Russell Simmons and Giorgio Armani.

Silly, silly, foolish. I agree with Shelton.

Only in America would flipping hamburgers in an air-conditioned

Not air-conditioned enough...
If it's cool in the kitchen, the customers in the lobby and dining area are FREEZING. Trust me, it's hot in the kitchen, a/c or no, at least by the grills, ovens and deep fryers.

hygienic environment

Oy.
One can hope, and most places do a reasonably good job, but there are many, many exceptions.

even those who can't make change or read can earn far more than they're worth

If you remain employed for more than a few months with the same organization, you are by definition worth what you're getting paid, minimum wage or elsewise.
Or else the management is incompetent, which isn't uncommon.

I [...] can think of a great many worse ways to make a living like working in a coal mine

Making $ 70,000 annually in a coal mine is worse than working at McD's ?

McD's has treated its employees like children, as proven by the silly uniforms.

Most of McD's employees are children.
Further, the uniforms are for the benefit of the customers, not the employees, and no more demean those wearing them than BDUs demean members of the military.

Michael, I'm not sure what your point is? My point is that we in the U.S. are crying with two loaves of bread under each arm. NPR? Arbiters of fashion? Why does anyone even tune into them? Hamburger flippers perform a function. What function do the moonbats on NPR perform?

erp:

Nothing much, just expanding upon your comments.

The only real issue I take is with the idea that some fast food workers aren't "worth" minimum wage.

Many people who aren't, do find employment, but tend to be quickly let go.

Bottom line, anyone trying to make a respectable living has earned my respect. Working single parents have gotten critical rest visiting McDonald's, especially those with a playroom!

Michael, I have nothing against uniforms. Just against silly uniforms.

In my county, most McD's workers are not children. They are either Samoan or Tongan immigrants in their 20s to 40s with limited English or aged Filipinos.

Kids would rather work at a juice bar for the same money, or can earn a lot more if they have anything on the ball in the tourist sector.

Big change since I picked up garbage and beat rats to death with a snow shovel for Shoney's Big Boy back in the '60s.