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Mc Donalds And Baby Changing

24

Comments

  • #52
    IrishAm
    Registered Users Posts: 1,576 ✭✭✭IrishAm


    Andy Carroll wrote: »
    Because it's gender based discrimination obviously.

    Public bars and restaurants are not legally obliged to provide baby changing facilities. Its a service they choose to provide at their discretion.

    If the OP took them to court, citing this as evidence of gender based discrimination, he should expect to pick up all costs.


  • #53
    vicwatson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,404 ✭✭✭✭vicwatson


    Babies sh*t - McDonalds sh*t - what's the damn problem?


  • #54
    stupidusername
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,762 ✭✭✭✭stupidusername


    Andy Carroll wrote: »
    You should consider complaining any time you are in a place that only provides females with a baby changing facility.

    No I shouldn't.


  • #55
    Pushtrak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,640 ✭✭✭Pushtrak


    Andy Carroll wrote: »
    Because it's gender based discrimination obviously.

    If someone offers a ****ty service to everyone, okay, just don't go there (though there must rules and regulations on facilities, quiet probably ignored in this country).

    If someone offers a ****ty service to one group and not another based on their gender or race, then we have a problem. That isn't too hard to wrap your head around is it?
    No, it isn't (too hard to wrap my head around, for clarification). Thank you for clarifying. I guess I am just trying to (over?)simplify it in to a matter of voting with your wallet. Availing of alternative places that deserve the customers.

    Oh, and my first post here wasn't in any way trying to devalue the thread in a "Oh, this shouldn't have been posted here, just don't go there". I actually find a lot of value in places being called out for sucky business practices. And think people should question whether they want to give money to whatever business on whatever basis.
    Are you male or female out of curiosity?
    Male, and for full disclosure, I don't have kids.


  • #56
    Jesus Wept
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,243 ✭✭✭✭Jesus Wept


    IrishAm wrote: »
    Public bars and restaurants are not legally obliged to provide baby changing facilities. Its a service they choose to provide at their discretion.

    If the OP took them to court, citing this as evidence of gender based discrimination, he should expect to pick up all costs.

    Hardly makes it right though, does it? Many laws and regulations in this country are a joke. Old and backward.
    I wouldn't be surprised if someone could have success at a higher court, European based. Regardless, they should be shamed into sorting themselves out.

    Are you aware of what the laws are regarding disabled toilets? Have noticed one hilarious setup regarding that... so curious as to what the laws are.
    stupidusername wrote: »
    No I shouldn't.

    Then don't complain if someone uses the baby changing facilities.

    I'll be honest, I wouldn't be keen on having people changing their babies ****ty nappies in front of me either.
    Baby changing facilities if provided shouldn't be gender specific, that makes not a jot of sense.
    Pushtrak wrote: »
    No, it isn't (too hard to wrap my head around, for clarification). Thank you for clarifying. I guess I am just trying to (over?)simplify it in to a matter of voting with your wallet. Availing of alternative places that deserve the customers.

    Oh, and my first post here wasn't in any way trying to devalue the thread in a "Oh, this shouldn't have been posted here, just don't go there". I actually find a lot of value in places being called out for sucky business practices. And think people should question whether they want to give money to whatever business on whatever basis.

    Male, and for full disclosure, I don't have kids.

    Male without kids also.
    The sad thing is that people generally won't vote with their feet/wallet.


  • #57
    guppy
    Registered Users Posts: 484 ✭✭guppy


    Andy Carroll wrote: »
    Because it's gender based discrimination obviously.

    If someone offers a ****ty service to everyone, okay, just don't go there (though there must rules and regulations on facilities, quite probably ignored in this country).

    If someone offers a ****ty service to one group and not another based on their gender or race, then we have a problem. That isn't too hard to wrap your head around is it?

    If it helps you understand it, replace *Blocks door* - 'Sorry men can't use the baby changing facilities' with 'sorry, *Blocks door* 'Sorry, Black people can't use the baby changing facilities here. /shrug.'

    Are you male or female out of curiosity?

    As a woman, I had to change my baby on my lap, in a cubicle many times. Not sexism, just piss-poor facilities. I dealt with it (as did many other women), why could a man not just adapt, as I, as a woman, as did numerous other women, had(have) to?


  • #58
    ahnowbrowncow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭ahnowbrowncow


    guppy wrote: »
    As a woman, I had to change my baby on my lap, in a cubicle many times. Not sexism, just piss-poor facilities. I dealt with it (as did many other women), why could a man not just adapt, as I, as a woman, as did numerous other women, had(have) to?

    What don't you understand, providing a service to one set of people and not another is discrimination. Is it that difficult to grasp???


  • #59
    IvySlayer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,190 ✭✭✭✭IvySlayer


    Denying someone a service based on their gender seems bang out of order to me.


  • #60
    guppy
    Registered Users Posts: 484 ✭✭guppy


    ahnowbrowncow wrote: »
    What don't you understand, providing a service to one set of people and not another is discrimination. Is it that difficult to grasp???

    Well, its late, I'm tipsy and I'm going to assume that's sarcasm. If not, please pm me for full disclosure of my name, address and bank account number.....


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  • #61
    Jesus Wept
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,243 ✭✭✭✭Jesus Wept


    guppy wrote: »
    As a woman, I had to change my baby on my lap, in a cubicle many times. Not sexism, just piss-poor facilities. I dealt with it (as did many other women), why could a man not just adapt, as I, as a woman, as did numerous other women, had(have) to?

    So it's just about petty points scoring with you then, yeah? You're in good company in this thread.


    On what planet is the situation described by the OP not gender based discrimination? Legal or otherwise aside.
    • If you have a penis, then go away. Your baby can stay in it's shitty nappy or do it on your lap in a cubicle, clean or not.
    • If you have a vagina, you can change your baby in our ample baby changing facilities, cmon on in, shine your shoes while you wait?

    Them's the rules.


    Your prior hardships where zero baby changing facilities were provided to anyone have absolutely no baring on this situation, but yet you want to use that hardship to score points against 'men' who want to change their babies in the same facilities provided to you, a female. WTF is that about? Do you hate men?


    And how is it fair to the babies??
    • Oh this baby is with mum, you get changed straight away.
    • Oh this baby is with dad, well you stay in your shit filled nappy and cry your heart out baby, tough ****ing luck. Sure that's what you get for spending time with dad. Maybe he'll change you on his lap in the piss ridden cubicle, sure it's all you deserve for spending time with dad, silly baby.

    If I had a baby and the mother of our baby felt the way you do, I'd be thinking, fuck, made the wrong choice there.


  • #62
    ahnowbrowncow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭ahnowbrowncow


    guppy wrote: »
    Well, its late, I'm tipsy and I'm going to assume that's sarcasm. If not, please pm me for full disclosure of my name, address and bank account number.....

    No there actually was no sarcasm so can I pm you for those details now? :)

    I was more or less asking why you don't see it as discrimination?


  • #63
    guppy
    Registered Users Posts: 484 ✭✭guppy


    Andy Carroll wrote: »
    So it's just about petty points scoring with you then, yeah? You're in good company in this thread.


    On what planet is the situation described by the OP not gender based discrimination? Legal or otherwise aside.
    • If you have a penis, then go away. Your baby can stay in it's shitty nappy or do it on your lap in a cubicle, clean or not.
    • If you have a vagina, you can change your baby in our ample baby changing facilities, cmon on in, shine your shoes while you wait?

    Them's the rules.


    Your prior hardships where zero baby changing facilities were not provided to anyone have absolutely no baring on this situation, but yet you want to use that hardship to score points against 'men' who want to change their babies in the same facilities provided to you, a female. WTF is that about? Do you hate men?


    And how is it fair to the babies??
    • Oh this baby is with mum, you get changed straight away.
    • Oh this baby is with dad, well you stay in your shit filled nappy and cry your heart out baby, tough ****ing luck. Sure that's what you get for spending time with dad. Maybe he'll change you on his lap in the piss ridden cubicle, sure it's all you deserve for spending time with dad, silly baby.

    If I had a baby and the mother of our baby felt the way you do, I'd be thinking, fuck, made the wrong choice there.

    Wow, yeah, that's exactly what I meant. It's all a plot to make sure men DON'T take the kids out alone, cos us wimmin want to do it all alone and then just bitch about doing it all alone!

    My point being not all places have caught up, deal with it (male or female) and adapt. Not hard, I would have thought.

    *again, I'm tipsy, sarcasm may be passing me by..........


  • #64
    FanadMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭FanadMan


    OP - shame you didn't go back out to the counter and hold the baby up and say extremely loudly "This is my baby that needs changing. Because of McDonalds laws and one stupid member of staff, I cannot change my child". Probably quite a few of the customers queuing up would have left, and if you kept ranting the manager would have been called.

    Have to say that the treatment you received was disgraceful. I really hoped that you complained to the manager or to their head office. Anyway, I take it you won't be eating there anymore - wouldn't blame you :)


  • #65
    Jesus Wept
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,243 ✭✭✭✭Jesus Wept


    guppy wrote: »
    Wow, yeah, that's exactly what I meant. It's all a plot to make sure men DON'T take the kids out alone, cos us wimmin want to do it all alone and then just bitch about doing it all alone!

    My point being not all places have caught up, deal with it (male or female) and adapt. Not hard, I would have thought.

    *again, I'm tipsy, sarcasm may be passing me by..........

    I reckon you're polluted drunk tbh.

    I don't know why any person would think that was fair on babies, even if you obviously do hate men and are happy to make it a pathetic point scoring exercise.

    You haven't a leg to stand on.


  • #66
    K-9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,311 ✭✭✭✭K-9


    Just to get past the gender war thing, it isn't that hard for McDonalds to put in a baby changing facility in a toilet, wouldn't cost much in their their general World domination scheme of things.

    Mad Men's Don Draper : What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons.



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  • #67
    KKkitty
    Registered Users Posts: 7,537 ✭✭✭KKkitty


    If my partner was treated in that manner while needing to change our sons nappy I'd be fuming. Gender discrimination has to stop. A man in a playground or swimming pool area can't take photos of his kids playing for fear that someone elses kids getting into the picture. Why can't they put their own kids on a proper surface to change their nappies when they're out. Plenty of dad bashing goes on but admiralofthefleet I commend you for your actions. A lap or cubicle isn't a proper place to change a child either as they can wriggle a bit. I have and never will change my children like that. Each to their own I guess.


  • #68
    Bipolar Joe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,443 ✭✭✭Bipolar Joe


    guppy wrote: »
    Wow, yeah, that's exactly what I meant. It's all a plot to make sure men DON'T take the kids out alone, cos us wimmin want to do it all alone and then just bitch about doing it all alone!

    My point being not all places have caught up, deal with it (male or female) and adapt. Not hard, I would have thought.

    *again, I'm tipsy, sarcasm may be passing me by..........

    If you went in somewhere and your baby took a dump in it's nappy, and you discovered that the baby changing facility was only available to men, and if you wanted to change your kid you'd have to do it in an area unsuitable for the situation, how would you feel? Would you say "Sure, it's all good, I can do it while I'm taking a sh!t, myself"?


  • #69
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    All this could have been resolved if the OP bothered to talk to the management of the restaurant. Plenty of men use the baby changing facilities in ladies toilets all the time.

    I think people are getting a little carried away with this discrimination nonsense. Baby changing facilities were put into ladies toilets because there was a need for them in ladies toilets and it was beneficial to the business. There isnt enough need to put them into men's toilets too and may not be possible to install another area for men with babies. And unless you are told by management or its company policy to deny men access to baby changing facilities in ladies toilets then they are available to you and there is no discrimination.

    Problem is its easier to cry discrimination and ring Joe Duffy than bring up the issue with anyone who can help solve it.


  • #70
    Bipolar Joe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,443 ✭✭✭Bipolar Joe


    How about just a baby changing facility? Problem fucking solved. Good God, I am a genius.


  • #71
    guppy
    Registered Users Posts: 484 ✭✭guppy


    ahnowbrowncow wrote: »
    No there actually was no sarcasm so can I pm you for those details now? :)

    I was more or less asking why you don't see it as discrimination?

    Probably because I dealt with having no facilities available when my 5 year old was young, and had to use cubicles myself. As I said, I don't see it as discrimination, just piss poor (pardon the pun) facilities. I'm not excusing anything, I just dont see the big deal about adapting to surroundings.


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  • #72
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    K-9 wrote: »
    Just to get past the gender war thing, it isn't that hard for McDonalds to put in a baby changing facility in a toilet, wouldn't cost much in their their general World domination scheme of things.

    People will complain and whinge no matter what, McDonalds would be well use to it and if there is no great demand for a facility then they aint gonna roll it out to millions of restaurants. Thats how business works.


  • #73
    guppy
    Registered Users Posts: 484 ✭✭guppy


    Bipolar Joe wrote: »
    If you went in somewhere and your baby took a dump in it's nappy, and you discovered that the baby changing facility was only available to men, and if you wanted to change your kid you'd have to do it in an area unsuitable for the situation, how would you feel? Would you say "Sure, it's all good, I can do it while I'm taking a sh!t, myself"?

    Well, I didn't actually pee/poo while changing the baby, but I did sit on the (closed lid) toilet doing just that. Are you saying only women can do that? I have also changed a baby on the back seat of the car, am I a man now?


  • #74
    Bipolar Joe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,443 ✭✭✭Bipolar Joe


    guppy wrote: »
    Well, I didn't actually pee/poo while changing the baby, but I did sit on the (closed lid) toilet doing just that. Are you saying only women can do that? I have also changed a baby on the back seat of the car, am I a man now?

    I dunno, you tell me.

    Also, you're deliberately missing the point, so I'm calling troll.


  • #75
    Jesus Wept
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,243 ✭✭✭✭Jesus Wept


    guppy wrote: »
    Probably because I dealt with having no facilities available when my 5 year old was young, and had to use cubicles myself. As I said, I don't see it as discrimination, just piss poor (pardon the pun) facilities. I'm not excusing anything, I just dont see the big deal about adapting to surroundings.

    This is so pathetic, there are no words.

    I'd double bag my mickey just walking past you, just in case.


  • #76
    guppy
    Registered Users Posts: 484 ✭✭guppy


    Andy Carroll wrote: »
    I reckon your polluted drunk tbh.

    I don't know why any person would think that was fair on babies, even if you obviously do hate men and are happy to make it a pathetic point scoring exercise.

    You haven't a leg to stand on.

    Yep, that's me, I hates men. I never think of the children, ever. Good thing my kids will never recall the places I relieved their s*itty bottoms from the shackles of the dirty nappies or they would grow up to detest me.

    For the record, I don't agree with what happened to the op. I just think he made a bigger ordeal of it than necessary. If he didn't even bother complaining to management, how will anyone know there's an issue?


  • #77
    K-9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,311 ✭✭✭✭K-9


    LordSmeg wrote: »
    People will complain and whinge no matter what, McDonalds would be well use to it and if there is no great demand for a facility then they aint gonna roll it out to millions of restaurants. Thats how business works.

    That's how business works.

    Hence why we've laws to protect workers from just how business works.

    Are you aware of what a baby changing facility is and how easy it is to install? This is McDonalds FFS.

    Mad Men's Don Draper : What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons.



  • #78
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    K-9 wrote: »
    That's how business works.

    Hence why we've laws to protect workers from just how business works.

    Are you aware of what a baby changing facility is and how easy it is to install? This is McDonalds FFS.

    I'm sure they could afford to do a lot of things if they had the mind to but they aint gonna if there is no real demand which there doesnt seem to be.


  • #79
    guppy
    Registered Users Posts: 484 ✭✭guppy


    Andy Carroll wrote: »
    This is so pathetic, there are no words.

    I'd double bag my mickey just walking past you, just in case.

    Ah christ, no need for that, I have my own contraception! (ah answer, I wouldn't touch yours with a 10 foot barge pole)

    Wow, I am actually glad to see so many men looking for family facilities.
    Never did I say it's wrong to have them, I just think the op overreacted - 30 mins to change the child in the car? What was he doing first? It still happens that there's no facilities, but you need to deal with those situations, male or female.

    His issue is valid, his actions were not. Maybe I got too mixed up in that. For that, I'm sorry.


  • #80
    K-9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,311 ✭✭✭✭K-9


    LordSmeg wrote: »
    I'm sure they could afford to do a lot of things if they had the mind to but they aint gonna if there is no real demand which there doesnt seem to be.

    But demand doesn't get to rule the world, Thank God. People realised one God is useless in this country, and are slowly realising the demand God is pretty useless too.

    Consumerism replaced Catholicism and both are getting their comeuppance.

    Mad Men's Don Draper : What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons.



  • #81
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    K-9 wrote: »
    But demand doesn't get to rule the world, Thank God. People realised one God is useless in this country, and are slowly realising the demand God is pretty useless too.

    Consumerism replaced Catholicism and both are getting their comeuppance.

    Demand does rule the world of business though, especially in the case of a fast food chain like McDonalds. They aint out to change the world, they are out to make money and if there is no demand for something then its an unnecessary cost no matter how minuscule in the grand scheme of things.

    If people want a change then get onto McDonalds, maybe eventually they will think there is a demand and install the things. But if not then they probably wont. Thats not me defending the evils of cunsumerism though just telling it like it is.


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  • #82
    PrincessLola
    Registered Users Posts: 851 ✭✭✭PrincessLola


    The "member of staff" you spoke to is probably on minimum wage and dealing with a horrible manager or other superior. I don't think that is reprentative of the company. If you spoke to someone higher up they would have let you use the ladies.

    However, I do think there should be a changing facility that is available to both mothers and fathers.


  • #83
    PrincessLola
    Registered Users Posts: 851 ✭✭✭PrincessLola


    Andy Carroll wrote: »
    This is so pathetic, there are no words.

    I'd double bag my mickey just walking past you, just in case.

    You are being kind of hysterical tbh.
    Whats so shocking about what she said?


  • #84
    The Big Red Button
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,390 ✭✭✭The Big Red Button


    KKkitty wrote: »
    If my partner was treated in that manner while needing to change our sons nappy I'd be fuming. Gender discrimination has to stop. A man in a playground or swimming pool area can't take photos of his kids playing for fear that someone elses kids getting into the picture. Why can't they put their own kids on a proper surface to change their nappies when they're out. Plenty of dad bashing goes on but admiralofthefleet I commend you for your actions. A lap or cubicle isn't a proper place to change a child either as they can wriggle a bit. I have and never will change my children like that. Each to their own I guess.

    What actions, though? All he did was leave the place in a huff over the actions of one member of staff who clearly didn't know how to handle the situation. If he'd just asked to speak to a member of staff, chances are the situation would have been resolved very easily and quickly and quietly.

    It's a bit pointless starting a thread on here, threatening to "ring Joe" or whatever, when he didn't ask for management and give the restaurant a chance to sort things out there and then.


  • #85
    guppy
    Registered Users Posts: 484 ✭✭guppy


    Bipolar Joe wrote: »
    I dunno, you tell me.

    Also, you're deliberately missing the point, so I'm calling troll.

    Yeah, you're right, i was missing the point and getting mixed up in sex wars. I am sorry.

    I finally get the point (took long enough). It was s^itty of the female employee in the op, and there was nothing to stop her helping out the op by letting him use the facilities while keeping an eye out for female customers.

    Op, I'm sorry you dealt with an ass. I hope you do report it by email in the hopes it doesn't happen again.


  • #86
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    guppy wrote: »
    Yeah, you're right, i was missing the point and getting mixed up in sex wars. I am sorry.

    I finally get the point (took long enough). It was s^itty of the female employee in the op, and there was nothing to stop her helping out the op by letting him use the facilities while keeping an eye out for female customers.

    Op, I'm sorry you dealt with an ass. I hope you do report it by email in the hopes it doesn't happen again.

    To everyone I annoyed/insulted, I am very sorry, this issue has nothing to do with my own experiences in the past, it is very seperate.

    You didnt annoy anyone who wasnt already annoyed and looking for someone to let rip at. You aint the pathetic one or the troll here. Dont apologise to people who havent the decency to discuss things in a cival manner.


  • #87
    guppy
    Registered Users Posts: 484 ✭✭guppy


    LordSmeg wrote: »
    You didnt annoy anyone who wasnt already annoyed and looking for someone to let rip at. You aint the pathetic one or the troll here. Dont apologise to people who havent the decency to discuss things in a cival manner.

    Thanks, just edited my post before I saw yours!


  • #88
    K-9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,311 ✭✭✭✭K-9


    LordSmeg wrote: »
    Demand does rule the world of business though, especially in the case of a fast food chain like McDonalds. They aint out to change the world, they are out to make money and if there is no demand for something then its an unnecessary cost no matter how minuscule in the grand scheme of things.

    If people want a change then get onto McDonalds, maybe eventually they will think there is a demand and install the things. But if not then they probably wont. Thats not me defending the evils of cunsumerism though just telling it like it is.

    Governments are there to reign in the likes of McDonalds. Nobody has anything against them making money, just not at an all costs motive. So what if they've to install baby changing facilities in mens toilets?

    They'll cut the cost somewhere else anyway.

    Mad Men's Don Draper : What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons.



  • #89
    Dudess
    Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    lord lucan wrote: »
    Not really a minority these days. I see as many men bringing their kids out for the day as women. If this was the other way around the RTE switchboard would blow up with enraged wimmins complaining to Joe and summoning up the ghost of the suffragettes.
    What's to stop you and others doing similar such protesting? :confused:

    That was a disgraceful way to be treated OP (if not that surprising unfortunately) - challenging it is the only way to cause change.


  • #90
    Scioch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,249 ✭✭✭Scioch


    K-9 wrote: »
    Governments are there to reign in the likes of McDonalds. Nobody has anything against them making money, just not at an all costs motive. So what if they've to install baby changing facilities in mens toilets?

    They'll cut the cost somewhere else anyway.

    If they have to they will whether its forced on them by law or demand but they dont have to currently in either respect is my point. So they more than likely wont.

    So the issue seems to be with the Government for not forcing restaurants to provide these facilities. Not McDonalds at all who we all know wont do it if they see it as unnecessary due to lack of demand.

    I think you may think I'm arguing a point I'm not.


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  • #91
    KKkitty
    Registered Users Posts: 7,537 ✭✭✭KKkitty


    chatterpillar wrote: »
    KKkitty wrote: »
    If my partner was treated in that manner while needing to change our sons nappy I'd be fuming. Gender discrimination has to stop. A man in a playground or swimming pool area can't take photos of his kids playing for fear that someone elses kids getting into the picture. Why can't they put their own kids on a proper surface to change their nappies when they're out. Plenty of dad bashing goes on but admiralofthefleet I commend you for your actions. A lap or cubicle isn't a proper place to change a child either as they can wriggle a bit. I have and never will change my children like that. Each to their own I guess.

    What actions, though? All he did was leave the place in a huff over the actions of one member of staff who clearly didn't know how to handle the situation. If he'd just asked to speak to a member of staff, chances are the situation would have been resolved very easily and quickly and quietly.

    It's a bit pointless starting a thread on here, threatening to "ring Joe" or whatever, when he didn't ask for management and give the restaurant a chance to sort things out there and then.
    He could have got into a blazing row with child in arms further distressing his son but he didn't. He walked away more or less.


  • #92
    Optimalprimerib
    Registered Users Posts: 1,885 ✭✭✭Optimalprimerib


    Alot of people are saying the op is overreacting. I think he under reacted.

    1. He was obviously dealing with a niaive member of staff. He should have asked for a manager.
    2. There is no reason in the world one of the worlds most renown franchises cannot have facilities to cater for every one.
    3. Let's look at this in a different angle. The facilities are only available for women. So that gives the impression that McDonald's are still in the 50's, nappy changing is a woman's job. No need for men to lower themselves to such trivial tasks. They should also have a ladies sign on the kitchen door.
    4. Send a letter to the head office, talk to joe. You will see how quick this will change.


  • #93
    kelle
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,243 ✭✭✭kelle


    Well, it reflects society's attitude towards men and parenting - apparently, the two don't go together!

    I started a thread in Parenting last November, just before I went on a week's holiday on my own. I was furious to be constantly asked who was going to look after the children while I was away, and when I mentioned my very capable husband I got a few offers of help (never got that when he went to Cheltenham :mad: ).
    On that thread, one guy mentioned getting scolded by a woman for parking in a Parent and Baby space while he was taking his infant twins out of their seats - she told him they were for mothers only!
    And lots of complaints about baby changing facilities only being available in the Ladies toilets.

    Nothing can be done about society's ignorance, but if enough people complain about lack of baby changing facilities in men's toilets, then maybe something will be done about it.

    I was going to mention OP should have handed baby and changing bag to staff member, but I was beaten to it:D!

    EDIT: OP, I just spotted this post from the thread I mentioned - sounds like this poster knows what he's talking about.


  • #94
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    i guess the real question is why do we have segregated loos at all? There really isnt much logic to it.


  • #95
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭MagicMarker


    May I ask OP, do you encounter this problem a lot? It's just that I've never noticed any baby changing facilities in any men's room pretty much anywhere...?


  • #96
    hoodwinked
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭hoodwinked


    Dunnes Stores on Patrick street in cork had the same issue,
    when the newly built shopping centre opened they have a cafe on the top floor with toilets,

    When our one was in nappies, Weekends were her dads time to change her nappy, while there for lunch he went to change her nappies and found the changing table was only in the woman's toilets, im not sure if they have since added one to the mens (or disabled toilet) but in the end i had to go change her.


    to be fair though since she's been toilet trained it can be a nightmare she's a real daddies girl and if she's in a mood she will only have daddy assist her, so to be fair to the staff in the above store they always let him have the key to the disabled toilet (providing its not needed) so he can accompany her as he feels the mens are too messy for her :pac:.

    im sure we're not the only ones as ive seen mothers taking sons into the womens, with no fuss being made.

    but men do tend to draw the short end of the stick when it comes to childcare.


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  • #97
    Pushtrak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,640 ✭✭✭Pushtrak


    MagicMarker wrote: »
    May I ask OP, do you encounter this problem a lot? It's just that I've never noticed any baby changing facilities in any men's room pretty much anywhere...?
    The pertinent bit from the OP: "there was no baby changing in the gents and no disabled toilet,"

    In short, there was only for women or you are S.O.L. I can't say I'm hawkeye on the matter, but I'd imagine (open to correction) most places would have facilities where a guy could use changing facilities.

    Even ignoring the changing facility issue for a moment, the lack of a toilet for dsabled people is a pretty serious oversight.


  • #98
    GTDolanator
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 772 ✭✭✭GTDolanator


    This thread Stinks..........


  • #99
    2 stroke
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,921 ✭✭✭2 stroke


    I'd love to visit that mcdonalds and kick up a stink, can someone please give me a baby?

    It's time the irish grew up. In Paris, mothers regularly accompany their boys into the gents and assist them using the urinals, with men blasting piss on either side. First time I witnessed it I was surprised, but I have since visited the ladies with my niece, and waited outside the cubicle for her.


  • #100
    gabsdot40
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭gabsdot40


    I'm past the nappies stage now but I've changed nappies in a variety of places over the years, by the sink in the toilets, on the floor, sitting on a toilet with baby on my knee, baby in buggy etc.
    It's nice if there is a changing unit but it's not the end of the world if there isn't.


  • #101
    Cianos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,850 ✭✭✭Cianos


    Had to change the little one in a tiny restaurant in Berlin one time. There were no facilities (male nor female), so the owner set up a table and got me a towel to put her on and everything :) Happy baby in a couple of mins, sat back down to finish our (lovely and very cheap!) food.

    Most places don't have facilities for males. I've never had a problem like the OP though.

    It's pretty sad when a baby is let cry for the sake of gender segregation.


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