McDonald’s Doesn’t Physically Feel Like McDonald’s Anymore

So while I largely dislike what McDonald’s has done with its interior design in recent years, I still occasionally get out of the car, go inside, order my food, and sit down to eat rather than dining in my vehicle.

It forces me to slow down if that makes sense. I just tend to eat much faster in the car. There is something psychological about it. Maybe it's conditioning from this rat race we live in, but it's like I eat more manically in my car.

But I can’t deny that sitting inside McDonald’s now is not very enjoyable. I walk in and order from the kiosk. No one greets me. I rarely see anyone unless they are delivering food to tables. Heck.. I’m sure eventually even that will stop, and your number will just flash up on the screen where in turn you grab your food from a shelf.

The interiors of these places are not very inviting. No pictures on the walls, stripped down furniture, and basic tables. My local McDonald’s has even removed the soda fountain from the dining area!

It feels like they want you in and out as fast as possible. Not many people even dine inside anymore, but the direction still feels intentional.

It is this kind of industrial efficiency focused design that seemed like a good idea to the stock holders I'm sure.. but I personally despise it.

Everything is built around speed and automation. They tout it as benefiting the customer, but really.. it benefits the restaurant more than anything else.

What I would give to sit in an old school McDonald’s again. Looking around at the colors, watching the lunch or breakfast rush, seeing people slow down a little and interact with each other or the staff. Yes it was fast food. Yes it was cheap. Yes it was a chain. But there was something about it. 

Like so many other things in life, I didn't know it at the time, but dining there was an experience all into itself.  If you were lucky enough to witness it yourself, you will probably agree that it is long gone. A big piece of innocence and perhaps something that in retrospect now feels a little magical. Now I'm afraid it is gone forever.

The honest truth, after my last dining experience and McDonald's I had a couple of days ago, I cannot see myself dining in house any longer. And that says a lot for me, someone who has been a lifelong fan of the brand and the concept. But I think I have come to accept, reluctantly, that the old version of McDonald's is gone and only lives on in my memories.

Maybe I should just step away from that relationship entirely and focus on smaller, independently owned burger places, if even that kind of thing still exists anymore.

Ah.. who am I kidding. I will continue to occasionally dine on McDonald's til' my dying day. Just not in the uncomfortable, unpleasant, sterile atmosphere devoid of customer service and life that is the McDonald's dining room.