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A Week in the Life of a McDonald’s Cashier

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Re: A Week in the Life of a McDonald’s Cashier

#11

> The bus stops running at 10 p.m. on Sunday, but McDonald's asked me to stay until close at 1 a.m. They asked me to stay because they need my help. I know it’s going to be rough to find a way home, but I need the money so I said yes. Cannot she ask them to pay for a taxi then? Also I didn't understand why she lives so far away from work.

"Cannot she ask them to pay for a taxi then? Also I didn't understand why she lives so far away from work."

1) Its unlikely the 30$ she's worth closing or whatever is worth hirind the taxi about.

2) Moving is expensive, and moving to a more desirable location even moreso. She may not be able to afford the time to seek out a space, the credit to be approved, the deposit, etc.

Re: A Week in the Life of a McDonald’s Cashier

#12

> The bus stops running at 10 p.m. on Sunday, but McDonald's asked me to stay until close at 1 a.m. They asked me to stay because they need my help. I know it’s going to be rough to find a way home, but I need the money so I said yes. Cannot she ask them to pay for a taxi then? Also I didn't understand why she lives so far away from work.

Why would McDonald's pay for a taxi for her? I can't imagine them doing that.

She might not live that far from work. It might be a 20 minute drive, but with the bus system in most towns in the US it's not crazy for that to take a couple of hours on a bus with walking (the closest bus stop to her is a 30 minute walk it said). I'm sure if she could get a job closer that pays as well she would've by now.

Re: A Week in the Life of a McDonald’s Cashier

#15

> The bus stops running at 10 p.m. on Sunday, but McDonald's asked me to stay until close at 1 a.m. They asked me to stay because they need my help. I know it’s going to be rough to find a way home, but I need the money so I said yes. Cannot she ask them to pay for a taxi then? Also I didn't understand why she lives so far away from work.

> Cannot she ask them to pay for a taxi then?

Should could ask...

> Also I didn't understand why she lives so far away from work.

Because when you earn so little, you really don't have much choice where you live.

Re: A Week in the Life of a McDonald’s Cashier

#16

> The bus stops running at 10 p.m. on Sunday, but McDonald's asked me to stay until close at 1 a.m. They asked me to stay because they need my help. I know it’s going to be rough to find a way home, but I need the money so I said yes. Cannot she ask them to pay for a taxi then? Also I didn't understand why she lives so far away from work.

Why would McDonald's pay for a taxi for her? I can't imagine them doing that. She might not live that far from work. It might be a 20 minute drive, but with the bus system in most towns in the US it's not crazy for that to take a couple of hours on a bus with walking (the closest bus stop to her is a 30 minute walk it said). I'm sure if she could get a job closer that pays as well she would've by now.

A bike would possibly be the ideal solution for someone in her shoes. Of course, there's that lovely enhanced risk of dying you get for daring to brave the streets on two wheels in the US. But if she gets back significant time from changing it up, it might be worth it.

Re: A Week in the Life of a McDonald’s Cashier

#17
post #2

Americans: fix your healthcare system.

I agree, but at the same time an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment. 40% of American adults, including the woman featured here, are obese. You can't just eat 3000 calories of junk food a day and expect the doctor to "fix it"

Re: A Week in the Life of a McDonald’s Cashier

#18
Her job is already going away; McDonald's around me have already replaced cashiers with kiosks. Unionizing and requiring $15/hr + full benefits is only going to accelerate McDonald's automation plans. Is the answer to fight for $15/hr or is the answer to go back to school, apply to more jobs, and/or go into a trade? Honest question.

Re: A Week in the Life of a McDonald’s Cashier

#19
I worked as a cashier once and it wasn’t the same as it is for my friends who still do. These days, they all have employment contracts, non-competes, and self checkouts taking their jobs. Back in my day, you could just leave any retail job like that and go across the street

Re: A Week in the Life of a McDonald’s Cashier

#20
post #2

Americans: fix your healthcare system.

I agree, but at the same time an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment. 40% of American adults, including the woman featured here, are obese. You can't just eat 3000 calories of junk food a day and expect the doctor to "fix it"

> You can't just eat 3000 calories of junk food a day and expect the doctor to "fix it"

What you're saying is true, but that's not what everyone believes. If you watch any episode of My 600 Pound Life, you will realize just how unwilling some of these people are to help themselves because it's hard work (and many people featured on the show die as a result). Yes, those are obviously extreme examples, but they're all extremely well documented.

I absolutely agree we should focus on taking care of ourselves before it leads to enormous health issues, but weirdly it doesn't seem the US healthcare system is designed for that.

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