After finally being able to take out both my 5 year old and 2 year old of the car, we made our way from the parking lot into the McDonald's at Ipoh only to be greeted by a huge crowd inside. Seeing the lack of vacant tables and long lines at the counter, I contemplated my decision to eat there. But, fast food is the easiest meal that I could get given that I was handling two small kids and I was already there, therefore I braved myself to queue. Ubaid the 5 year old was beside me holding my left hand and my right hand was holding the 2 year old Uwais. 

After a few minutes, the boys started to get restless as they really wanted to go and play in the McDonald's play pen. But I wasn't willing to let them play without any supervision as it's very easy to lose a child in such a crowded place. 

Then, the most memorable thing happened. A McDonald's staff approached me and told me that I could cut the queue and order from her. She was Indian and seemed quite aged yet motherly. Her smile was warm and friendly. "Adik, mari sini. Kasihan bawa anak-anak kiri kanan. Adik mahu order apa?" 

While I was ordering two Happy Meals and a set of McChicken, Ubaid and Uwais started acting out. Seeing what was happening, the lady told a younger staff to give my kids small coned ice creams. The boys accepted those treats with wide smiles and behaved again. 

After I paid, she said to me, "Adik pergi duduk dulu. Nanti kami hantar makanan." 

I was lucky enough to get a table near the play pen and as soon as I sat down, the lady came with our food. "Enjoy the meal", she said. 

That act of kindness is very memorable to me because no other McDonald's staff had ever done that to me. This situation happened a few months ago but that Indian lady is still in my mind everytime I see the McDonald's logo. 

Sadly, as I said, she is the only one that is kind. Most of my visits to other McDonald's have been disappointing. 

For example, there was once when I went to McDonald's at Port Dickson. The situation was similar as my wife was not around so I literally had my hands full with my two kids. The queues were long and the place was rather crowded. I had to wait for almost 15 minutes because in front of me there was a Chinese woman who didn't speak Malay nor English. I guessed she's a tourist from China. The McDonald's staff at the counter didn't quite acknowledge my difficulty handling two active, restless kids. She kept sulking because she had to cancel so many orders since the Chinese woman had difficulties communicating what exactly that she wanted. 

When it's finally my turn, the McDonald's staff was still in a bad mood. I asked her with a smile, "Mainan Happy Meal ada yang mana ya?". With lips pouting like an ugly duck and a glare so moody, she replied harsly, "Mainan dah habis." 

Not just she was not understanding of my situation, she was also rather rude. It ruined my evening. 

Another example. Yesterday, my wife and I went to Aeon Cheras Selatan to get ice cream at McDonald's there as we were craving for something sweet. No, our kids were left in the care of my sister in law. 

The McDonald's staff members were so grumpy and unfriendly. We ordered the Party McFlurry which was a medium sized tub of happiness and therefore we expected to get McFlurry ice cream spoons. When my wife saw that the staff didn't place any spoons on our food tray, she asked whether we would be given a spoon. The staff didn't even look at our faces when she told us to get the small spoons at the condiment area. My wife demanded that we get a McFlurry spoon but she told us that the McFlurry spoon is meant for a crowd of people eating that one ice cream. Nonsense, right? My wife argued about that with her and then she gave up and gave us a McFlurry spoon anyway. 

That staff's attitude rather ruined our mood and moment. 

Why oh why you gotta do that to your customers? McDonald's is supposed to be a place of happiness for all. 

Yes, I understand that you work long hours. My buddy Ridhwan who worked as a Starbucks barista mentioned once that I shouldn't work in F&B outlets because it's hectic. But that is no excuse to treat a customer badly. 

Haih. I wish there are more people like that old lady at that Ipoh McDonald's. She really gave a strong impression of how a kind and understanding person should act.