McDonalds responds...

Ok, so as you know, I wrote to McDonalds and complained about the fact that the toys in their Happy Meals are being given out with specificity to the child's gender (ie:  boys get Batman toys, girls get Wizard of Oz toys) and here is their response to my complaint, which I admit was slightly bitchy as I was riled up and I admit to implying I had a little boy, which I plainly do not have...
_____________________________

Hello Joe:

Thank you for taking the time to write McDonald's and to share your thoughts with us about our Happy Meals.

I'm sorry you're disappointed with some of our Happy Meal programs. First, please be assured that none of our toys are meant to be gender-restricted. Rather, all of our toys are meant to be enjoyed by all our younger customers -- both girls AND boys.

When we offer a Happy Meal with two different themes, our employees have been specifically trained to ask customers which of the two toys offered that week they would like, and not whether they would like a "girl" toy or a "boy" toy. I'm sorry if you've experienced anything different.

Please be assured, we would never want any of our promotions, games or premium items to disappoint our customers. Because you're a valued customer, your comments are very important to us, and have been shared with our Marketing staff for their on-going review.

Again, thank you for contacting McDonald's. We look forward to serving you for many years to come.

Quinn
McDonald's Customer Response Center

ref#:10390781

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You wrote:

I was pretty disappointed to discover that when parents ask for a Happy Meal for their child they are then asked if the toy will be for a girl or a boy.  Apparently, at this time if it's a toy for a girl they are presented with "Wizard of Oz" toys, and Batman toys for boys.  What if you have a girl who loves Batman or a boy who loves "The Wizard of Oz"?  When did Oz become strictly girl fare?  Why make gender judgments at all?

I'm sure you just want to make your customers happy and not make my little boy feel awkward for wanting a Wizard of Oz toy?  Am I correct in this?

I admit to being appreciative of their quick response, and their progressive policy, although I DO have a hard time thinking that they are actively enforcing this policy, as this isn't the first time I've heard of this happening, and they've had other campaigns which were much more blatantly targeted to different genders. 

This being said, I may have to get ahold of these Happy Meal toys, even if I don't buy the food that it comes with.  They are so CUTE!

Batman is Strictly for Boys and "The Wizard of Oz" is Girl's Stuff

Ok.  I'm annoyed.  My dander is up as they say.  I'm feeling some righteous indignation.  I'm ready to go on a tear.  The topic?  The current Wizard of Oz Happy Meal toy at McDonalds.  Yeah, it's a relatively small thing on the surface, but really? 

Apparently, should you go to the drive through and ask for a Happy Meal, you will then be asked if you want a toy for a boy, or for a girl.  If you say it's for a boy, you will get a Batman toy.  If you say the toy is for a girl, you will get a Wizard of Oz toy. 

Does this piss anyone else off or is it just me?  And let me be clear, the Oz toys are not dolls.  They don't have little fashionable dresses on, they are little figures with interlocking yellow brick roads.  There are three boy figures and three girl figures. 

When did McDonald's decide that only girls do or should like The Wizard of Oz?  And why should a little boy or girl automatically be presented with one toy or another?  It's unnecessarily perpetuating gender conformism and it makes any kid who doesn't automatically conform feel just a wee bit awkward.  And don't tell me they won't notice, care, or get the message, because I was one of those kids and I certainly got the message loud and clear when the things I liked didn't conform to standards.  And it's not just little girls who like Oz.  My  cousins Mike and Marc used to watch it over and over.  Every day at one point.   

And don't think it escapes me that one toy is decidedly more violent than the other (with batman action figures in fighting poses and shooting a "batarang").  Oz has always been a pretty peaceful story about discovering the strength within, and I wonder why this has to be judged as a feminine trait.  Is it just because the hero is a girl?  Because there are plenty of men in the story as well.  And who's to say a boy can't relate to Dorothy's search for self?  All I'm really asking is that the employees change their wording and ask customers if they want a Wizard of Oz toy, or a Batman toy.  Done and done. 

Of course, I made a complaint, and if you'd like to do that as well, or you think I'm just a melodramatic guy with too much time on my hands, feel free to check out the current campaign.