I get more and more scared each time I head back to Wal★Mart [1]. This time, I had to exchange my new tripod [2] since it lacked the camera mount plate (otherwise, it's sturdier, better designed (has a handle to carry it) and cheaper than my old one) and while waiting in line (my mistake today? Going to Wal★Mart on Labor Day) I saw an item that just scared me.
One woman was returning a toy—a McDonald's [3] toy. Not the type of toy you get with a Happy Meal™ (check out the disclaimer at the top—“Hey Kids This Is Advertising!”) [4], no. This toy was a box set you buy at a place like Wal★Mart. This was a McDonald's Cash Register Play Set [5], including a head set, some play money and plastic fries (among other plastic food).
A McDonald's Cash Register.
Yes, you too can prepare your kid to work in the exciting fast food industry where after months of work you can work your way up to the Fry Machine!
Gah! Is there no end to the crass mass-commercialism rampant in our society? Oh wait, don't answer that—it was rhetorical anyway …
[4] http://www.mcdonalds.com/countries/usa/whatsnew/happy_meal/
[5] http://www.toys-review.com/McDonalds_Cash_Register_B00005EBCK.html