Since coming back to Pakistan I been to McDonalds only twice and in both occasions had to attend a birthday party of a kid in the family.. my 2 yr old has recently found the charm of the big M.. though the initial charm and love for the big M has eroded a lot during recent yrs in lahore - still kids are attracted to the play place and toys..
Bth visits had been painful to me.. first time a poor meek kid from somewhere had entered the place and caused quite an uproar.. he must had been attracted to this foreign dream place from the road and somehow dared to come inside but was not able to get out.. he was running all around.. was a sign of helplessness and fright to the laughter of the so called richer segment of the society.. was escorted out after few minutes to the relief of the audience.. This time it was a group of 5 kids (ages 2-5).. small cute pathan kids one see all the time on Lahore roads.. mostly barefooted with dark colorful clothes.. unkept hair and seeking eyes.. they suddenly entered the place and rushed to the play place.. but were taken out of the big place in moments.. they tried again but were hushed off.. they didnt knew the so common place like this was something that they can only dream .. they were the have-nots in the society .. the kids inside were from a different world.. the segregation had already started and the vicious cycle in which they were born will continue all their lives in education, healthcare and security..
this is truly painful....i can't imagine that poor soul must be feeling looking at those kids playing inside.... you are right...for them it is something they can only dream but can't touch or feel.
If you try to confront McDs about it, I'm sure they'll tell you the kids were trespassing because they are not customers. Therefore, they may have the right to remove the kids from McDs if it is in their policy.
McDs caters towards the middle and upper class people in Pakistan, which I feel is wrong. I find it ridiculous to be paying Rs.50+ just to get a small cone of ice-cream and hunders of rupees over an average tasting burger/meal.
Such is life though. People are born into poor, average and rich homes and they have to learn to adjust to it, unless they can work their way up or somehow end up in a lower income class.
I'm sure the kids who were kicked out would probably not visit McDs again unless they are financially capable of purchasing something there to eat.
For instance, I belong to a middle class family; I know it and am happy where I am, alhamdulillah. I wouldn't attempt to act all rich and go to places I can't afford and simiarly I won't be going to lower end places because that is not where I belong.
Therefore, it must have been a learning experience for those kids. I don't mean to sound harsh or apathetic, but it was bound to happen and it happened.
Had they (kids) been removed from the playplace after purchasing a meal, I would've felt very angry and would've thought the management is discriminating and would've felt that something seriously needs to be done to prevent it happening in the future.
kids that age dont even know what financially capable means! ur suggesting giving them such lessons is helping? why cant we just share and dont hurt feelings rather than just suggesting it as God ordained reality.. why cant they work right to top rather than lower income class? there must be obstacles like ur suggesting rather than paving way to give them equal opportunities in education. healthcare etc… we keep small kids as servants at home and are so happy that we are doing great service… ones sacrifice, living and dying should be for have-nots and down-trodden - thats Allah way.
Degas, i would call it the harsh realities of life. Yes, those kids should be provided with the same facilities, should be given the right to play in the playplace, eat good, educate themsevles, etc. However, we know it well that it is not going to happen (unfortunately). Therefore, we should individually all try our best to support and accomodate for them as much as we can, insha'Allah.
Damn you man. :(
Why didnt you pay the manager some $ to let the kids play for an hour or so. :(
But even if you did i bet the parents of the well off kids would have objected. And that brings in the invisible caste system we still have running in our mix and matched muslim culture.