(Blog Monday 1/16/2012)

My early Saturday mornings are pretty predictable. At about 8:30 am I show up at a local McDonald’s for breakfast. This morning for some reason I got to thinking about my preference for this particular unit. After all, they all serve pretty much the same food at all McDonald’s locations.

As I thought about it, the best explanation that surfaced was that of the two Micky D restaurants that are about equally distant from my home, I feel most comfortable in the McDonald’s located at 5606 East Central. Other the other unit provides the same quality food and customer service, but at this store, Loretta (manager), Charlene (cashier) and Linda (dining room attendant) are more than just names on a badge. Somehow they have become become ‘real people,’ who even though it’s just for purposes of obtaining my breakfast I enjoy seeing. I like seeing them because they seem to like seeing me, and they remember who I am. When I take my meal to the dining room, there are customers with whom I exchange greetings even if in some cases it is just to nod our heads to recognize each others’ presence. Not quite like “Cheers” of TV sitcom fame because I don’t everyone’s name and they don’t know mine, but when I sit in the dining room many of the other customers have become ‘real people.’ I get a feeling that somehow my relationship with the folks in this restaurant is something more than a simple business transaction or being in the same place at the same time.

If you are looking for entertainment during this holiday season, check out the All About Wichita Calendar.