Separate tables at McDonalds

[reasonvemotion]

Was at McDonald's the other day, what a dismissal experience.

While I was there, with a friend, we noticed an elderly couple, (they looked a little shabby in their appearance, but this does not prove anything) sharing one cup of coffee and one small cheese burger.

I said to my friend, let's buy something for them and give it to them. He hesitated and said maybe they would be insulted by that. I had not thought about that, so we left and left them to their frugal meal. I have been thinking about it and regret I didnt buy something for them. What was the right thing to do?

[The Voice of Time]

I find it hardly unlikely that they shared that because they were really short on cash, they may just be not that hungry ^^ or forgot their wallet and spent their loose change (in which case they would be either insulted or smile and find it amusing, I say 30/70 % split of chance) Old people also tend to be shabby (and yes I note you said it didn't prove anything) because in the old days clothes were not the kind of thing you changed often, also they may have an affection and identity with their clothing, and so forth.

On an ethical level (by the way, this is not theory but applied ethics) you have no, at least by the information you gave here, any special reason which adds an ethical incentive to buy anything for them, as the evidence is insignificant in size, but, there is a rule which says that a little kindness rarely hurts, and that their "insultedness" or alternatively "shame" would hardly be of any significant amount such that your action would be directly unethical, though it of course could happen. But I'd say that if you felt like it you should've given it a go. Though I don't think you should buy the food in advance, and I'd wonder about what you'd say to them, although right now I'd recommend you to just say what you wrote above "you two look like you could need an extra burger, you want one?" or to dodge their likely embarrassment at the matter you could try "I'm gonna buy a big menu but I'll probably not finish it, you want to share it with me?" etc.

[johngalthasspoken]

I find it hardly unlikely that they shared that because they were really short on cash, they may just be not that hungry ^^ or forgot their wallet and spent their loose change (in which case they would be either insulted or smile and find it amusing, I say 30/70 % split of chance) Old people also tend to be shabby (and yes I note you said it didn't prove anything) because in the old days clothes were not the kind of thing you changed often, also they may have an affection and identity with their clothing, and so forth.

On an ethical level (by the way, this is not theory but applied ethics) you have no, at least by the information you gave here, any special reason which adds an ethical incentive to buy anything for them, as the evidence is insignificant in size, but, there is a rule which says that a little kindness rarely hurts, and that their "insultedness" or alternatively "shame" would hardly be of any significant amount such that your action would be directly unethical, though it of course could happen. But I'd say that if you felt like it you should've given it a go. Though I don't think you should buy the food in advance, and I'd wonder about what you'd say to them, although right now I'd recommend you to just say what you wrote above "you two look like you could need an extra burger, you want one?" or to dodge their likely embarrassment at the matter you could try "I'm gonna buy a big menu but I'll probably not finish it, you want to share it with me?" etc.

I couldn't agree more..

[ForgedinHell]

All you need do is say you bought too much, and ask if they want it, otherwise, it will go to waste? No insult.

You may have been right, they may very well have been hungry, and needed help. The fact you thought of them is a sign that you aren't all bad. I'll assume they were not wearing a Star of David, otherwise, you probably would have been happy they were hungry, but, at least you show some concern for some people.

The idiots who engage in some "intellectual analysis" of the ethics involved are half-wits who can't even figure out that seeing someone suffer is not a good thing, and in general, it is a kindness to help someone out.

[reasonvemotion]

All you need do is say you bought too much, and ask if they want it, otherwise, it will go to waste? No insult.

Perfect answer.

[chaz wyman]

Was at McDonald's the other day, what a dismissal experience.

While I was there, with a friend, we noticed an elderly couple, (they looked a little shabby in their appearance, but this does not prove anything) sharing one cup of coffee and one small cheese burger.

I said to my friend, let's buy something for them and give it to them. He hesitated and said maybe they would be insulted by that. I had not thought about that, so we left and left them to their frugal meal. I have been thinking about it and regret I didnt buy something for them. What was the right thing to do?

If they were really poor, they could have bought a 2Kg of porridge oats for the same price, that would have sustained them for a week.
Maybe you over interpreted what you saw?
Don't old people get a state pension where you come from?

[ForgedinHell]

Was at McDonald's the other day, what a dismissal experience.

While I was there, with a friend, we noticed an elderly couple, (they looked a little shabby in their appearance, but this does not prove anything) sharing one cup of coffee and one small cheese burger.

I said to my friend, let's buy something for them and give it to them. He hesitated and said maybe they would be insulted by that. I had not thought about that, so we left and left them to their frugal meal. I have been thinking about it and regret I didnt buy something for them. What was the right thing to do?

If they were really poor, they could have bought a 2Kg of porridge oats for the same price, that would have sustained them for a week.
Maybe you over interpreted what you saw?
Don't old people get a state pension where you come from?

It really is amazing how idiotic people are. She was there, you weren't. You can pick up things visually about people without even realizing it. If she thought they were hungry because they were poor, that is probably true. Maybe they thought it would be nice to treat themselves with what little they had instead of eating porridge? You ignorant, selfish, lunatic. Poor people don't always make the rational choice in their situation. Sometimes that is one of the reasons they are poor. I have a feeling her gut instincts were correct, and they were hungry. And what is interesting is how many socialists, like you, come here and write crap to discount what she saw and ridicule the idea of trying to help them. That's the difference between you and me. For me, politics begins with the individual. I can't change the world, but I can control myself. If I can reach out and help someone who needs it, that makes the world a better place than parading around telling everyone that they should be socialist slaves. The fact is if those same socialists would get off their asses and actually lend a hand to help someone, we wouldn't need any socialist government welfare crap. The hypocrisy in you stinks. Take your elitist socialist, anti-semitic, european crap and stick it.

[Bernard]

There are many opportunities out there to help others!

[reasonvemotion]

Maybe they thought it would be nice to treat themselves

Did you know Australia is the most expensive country in the world to live and I believe food is at the top of the list. The state pension, in this country, would be a mere pittance to survive on in these circumstances. The government was pushing to make retirement age 72 years of age and still is I believe. Can you imagine, a man for example who was a labourer, doing that sort of work at 72 y.o.? Eating porridge three times a day, seven days a week. Are we in the days of Oliver Twist? Please sir, can I have some more? I know the answer to that would still be the same today.

[The Voice of Time]

To RE

In Norway the retirement age is 67, but you can get a lesser pension from the age of 62 (which permanently decreases your overall pension, but not significantly I think).

Isn't there are system like that in Australia?

(btw, in Norway you can get pension and work at the same time, but you have to pay more taxes then as your income increases. It is a system designed to counter the increasing problem of lacking professionals in Norway as we have a largely unsatisfied professional job market, as well as to give incentive for pensioned people to produce value as long as they can)

note: the minimum retirement level of earnings in Norway is 157639 NOK a year, or 26168 Australian Dollars, what is yours?

[reasonvemotion]

I would have to research that. I will see what I can come up with, but you must realise a lot of people are not physically fit at that age to continue working.

[chaz wyman]

Maybe they thought it would be nice to treat themselves

Did you know Australia is the most expensive country in the world to live and I believe food is at the top of the list. The state pension, in this country, would be a mere pittance to survive on in these circumstances. The government was pushing to make retirement age 72 years of age and still is I believe. Can you imagine, a man for example who was a labourer, doing that sort of work at 72 y.o.? Eating porridge three times a day, seven days a week. Are we in the days of Oliver Twist? Please sir, can I have some more? I know the answer to that would still be the same today.

Don't knock porridge. It's one of the finest foods on earth.
It is so way and beyond the nutritional content of a Macburger and a cup of coffee!!
It sustained the Scots for over 3000 years.
It take a bowl of salted porridge over a mac in a pinch.

[reasonvemotion]

$20,000 p a. or $670.00 PER FORTNIGHT for a single person. If you were born after 1960, you will have to be 70 years old before becoming eligible for this pension.

I find it difficult to comprehend anyone employing a person 70 y o, when there are 20 somethings lining up for work. I believe rent for a studio apartment can be $300 pw. that would leave $70 over to live on for some people. So Macca's is looking like a "real treat".

Nothing wrong with porridge, but not three times a day, seven days a week. Salted? I have mine with milk and honey.

[chaz wyman]

$20,000 p a. or $670.00 PER FORTNIGHT for a single person. If you were born after 1960, you will have to be 70 years old before becoming eligible for this pension.

I find it difficult to comprehend anyone employing a person 70 y o, when there are 20 somethings lining up for work. I believe rent for a studio apartment can be $300 pw. that would leave $70 over to live on for some people. So Macca's is looking like a "real treat".

Nothing wrong with porridge, but not three times a day, seven days a week. Salted? I have mine with milk and honey.

You'd be the healthiest you've ever been on porridge with a little milk and nothing else.

[reasonvemotion]

well........ organic honey?