Ronald Goes to Court
Lincolnite Karen Tumeh is suing McDonald’s because employees at the 27th and Pine Lake location wouldn’t let her order at the drive-thru window. Ms. Tumeh is hearing-impaired. Drive-thru speakers don’t play nicely with her hearing aid. She could have gone inside, but why should she have to? Notably, the one location is the only one that has caused her problems.
On first glance, this sure looks a lot like two stubborn mules going head-to-head. How else can you explain such a small and easily-remedied situation leading to a lawsuit? Surely two phone calls (or letters)—at most—should have been enough: one call to the location’s manager should have done the trick, but if not, a follow-up with the corporate office definitely should have ended the problem. It’s a simple employee training issue. It isn’t clear if those phone calls ever happened. If they (or an equivalent) never occurred, then shame on Ms. Tumeh and her attorney for bogging down the courts with a lawsuit when simpler methods should have been tried first. If they did happen, it is unclear how McDonald’s responded. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ms. Tumeh’s complaint was simply the victim of the “It’s somebody else’s problem” mentality so common in large corporate and bureaucratic structures.
If you’re into that sort of thing, check out the comments on the article over at journalstar.com. There are leaps to conclusions and boneheaded statements aplenty, and even a little bigotry thrown in. Over 100 comments so far. And over something so very insignificant. ::sigh::
You know, if I were the rabble-rousing sort, I would encourage all of us to gather up at noon, head on over to 27th and Pine Lake, and order at the window in the drive-thru lane. Good thing I’m not that ornery.
The Comments
Nikki says I wonder if they tried... July 16, 2008 at 10:32am
THIS solution: http://www.themediationcenter.org/
Mr. T says I disagree that its an July 16, 2008 at 11:10am
I disagree that its an insignificant issue. I do know about this specific case itself, but equal access for persons with hearing problems is surely a big policy issue. I would think that there is a strong business case as well for making drive throughs more accessible for customers too.
Fletch says Another ornery idea would be, July 16, 2008 at 1:43pm
Another ornery idea would be, in a show of solidarity, that we all go to that drive-thru at McDonald’s and use some sort of sign language with them. That would show our bonds with the hearing-impaired. Of course, most of us don’t know American sign language, so we’d have to come up with some other sort of gesture that one could make with their hands to show displeasure.
Perhaps you could hold up your hand, and raise *a finger*, sort of like saying, “Hey McDonalds, you’re NUMBER ONE!”
I would suggest a finger other than the index finger, just to be different, and just so they know it’s our sign of brother- and sisterhood.
Who’s with me?
West A Dad says I've got nothing better to do July 16, 2008 at 4:14pm
so count me in. Can we go to Super Target while we’re down there?
MattF says Vague memory... July 17, 2008 at 9:44am
I seem to recall a sign about braille (to be passed to the passenger, of course)and photo menus available on a drive-through window somewhere. Anyone else seen that?
Dave the driver says Not to diminish those who July 17, 2008 at 12:46pm
Not to diminish those who are hearing impaired.........she’s driving? If I hit a fast food line and can’t hear I park my truck and go inside. Guess my thought process works differently.... who’d a thunk it.
Wish I’d known about this site yesterday.