McDonald's - Where the Elite (and Others) Meet to Eat

Last summer, I took my daughter to McDonald's as a reward for good behavior. While she was enjoying her special treat, it dawned on me that McDonald's is truly America's crossroads. People of all nationalities, ages and socioeconomic levels meet at this amazing, interesting place.

I was there on a Saturday, but this McDonald's on busy Route 17 in Paramus, New Jersey, was bustling with activity. In our state, there are many Mexican immigrants who move here to find work and become part of our great country. That day, I noticed several hard working Mexican men coming to McDonald's for a lunch break while working for landscaping and construction companies (they were wearing work uniforms, which advertised the names of their employers).

Other customers were men and women in business attire, such as dress shirts and ties, or business suits. Although it was Saturday, many businesses were open such as car dealerships, retail stores, banks and real estate companies. These business people rely on McDonald's for inexpensive food and its convenient location.

Next I saw a man who works at the local Shop Rite (Shop Rite is a large supermarket chain in the Northeast). This man is always at Shop Rite when I am there. He walks with a limp and seems to enjoy bothering his fellow workers when they are busy working at the store. Because of how much he chatters to colleagues, I thought he was single, lonely and therefore didn't have a family.

Boy, was I surprised when he walked into McDonald's with his wife and kid! Wow, the man who works at Shop Rite has a family. I was happy for him and feel like I know him a little better now, even though he is still a stranger.

I observed an affluent looking family on the other side of the restaurant. Mom and Dad were there, as well as a son and daughter. Both kids were under age 7 and were as thrilled as my daughter was to get a Happy Meal with a toy. This family was nicely dressed and the kids were well behaved. The parents probably liked McDonald's for the same reason as everyone else: convenient location, kid friendly food and good value.

Ever since that day, McDonald's has transformed into a new meaning for me. I used to think of McDonald's as a place to go when there weren't any other restaurants around, or a quick place to eat if I was in a hurry and couldn't stop for lunch while on the road for business. But McDonald's is truly the cultural crossroads of America and a restaurant that anyone can afford to enjoy.