McDonald's magic

Recently, a new teacher joined our Primary (the children's organization) at church. He's a Filipino in his 20s (ish), and he works in the UAE at McDonald's. When he told the kids that he worked at McDonald's, he instantly became the most popular adult in the room. The "woooooooowwwwww!" from the awe-struck children was almost audible.

Imagine if a 20s (ish) man worked at McDonald's in the US. I don't think the impression would be quite so magical. Well, maybe it still would be, for the kids. But here, at least according to anecdotal research, McDonald's is a real job that provides a work visa and housing and benefits and possibly even free transportation to and from work. McDonald's employees here are generally (but not always) chipper and really excited about working there, and serving you. It's almost unnerving. Same goes for places like Cinnabon or Burger King or any other restaurant that's kind of meh, in-between employment in the US. Here, it's a real job and it's a great deal for people looking to come here for work.

Anyway, just part of the paradigm here.