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@springyzone wrote:

There's a reason.

 

years back I spoke to a woman I know, who had 6 kids and her explanation was that people on a low-average income can't afford to eat out at expensive restaurants but they still want to be like everyone else and sometimes have a break from cooking or take the family out, so maccas gives them an affordable outlet for a treat.

 

I think maybe we need to look at it the other way round. In the very high income areas, how many restaurants are there & how often do those couples eat out? I was shocked once to read that often these people can be out 3 or 4 times a week for fine dining. And for most, it is at least twice, eg for lunch with the girls or dinner.

 

Admittedly, they are probably eating better quality food but it seems to me hypocritical to be down on poorer people who buy take away once a week when their richer counterparts are eating out more.

 

Companies build where there is a market. The wealthy  are going out just as much if not more, but not to cheaper places.

 

Answer. We need cheaper places that serve some healthier food in attractive ways.

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I have no problems with what you have said, and yes, l agree as well. In fact we know of  friends who you would class as Middle Wage Earners, 1 a Bus Driver $65,000 per year, his wife works as a Special Education Teacher in a Special Needs Govt. School on $72,000 per year, both have children in their 30's & left home. Bob & Pat each out at a Good Market Hotel Dinner, three times a week, and every Fr./Sat. night entertain at home with bid BBQ's.  AND their $500,000 house and $65,000 New Caravan, are not paid off.

So yes, l would call it "living the high hog", even though they may be eating Prime Rib Steaks, and washing down with nice Wine.

I understand what you are saying, BUT, do not please underestimate the two totally different eating "styles" and location of these establishments. 

At no way was l having a "sling" at the LSEA persons, and to say as such to me does your own post an injustice.

I was an orphan, went to school with cardboard in my 3rd hand "shoes".  All my clothes were from donations, l slept in a cold unfriendly "room" with 11 other "unwanted souls."

So PLEASE be a little mindful of how you perceive other people or what they have to say.

Have you walked a mile in my shoes ???????

I am where l am today because l got of my unfat a*se and made something of myself, thanks the Australian Army, and my friendships that are bonded for life, no matter what.  What l saw in Vietnam was enough to see how little food others have.

UP & MOVING FORWARD

They've started mapping food deserts in Australia.  This article touches on the obvious knock-on health issues for those living in a "desert".

Going by their definition of a desert (A food desert exists where it is more than 1,600 metres to the nearest grocer, and less than that distance to the nearest takeaway shop) I live in a big desert ...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-08/food-deserts-have-serious-consequences-for-residents-experts/6...

have no problems with what you have said, and yes, l agree as well. In fact we know of  friends who you would class as Middle Wage Earners, 1 a Bus Driver $65,000 per year, his wife works as a Special Education Teacher in a Special Needs Govt. School on $72,000 per year, both have children in their 30's & left home. Bob & Pat each out at a Good Market Hotel Dinner, three times a week, and every Fr./Sat. night entertain at home with bid BBQ's.  AND their $500,000 house and $65,000 New Caravan, are not paid off.

So yes, l would call it "living the high hog", even though they may be eating Prime Rib Steaks, and washing down with nice Wine.

I understand what you are saying, BUT, do not please underestimate the two totally different eating "styles" and location of these establishments. 

At no way was l having a "sling" at the LSEA persons, and to say as such to me does your own post an injustice.

I was an orphan, went to school with cardboard in my 3rd hand "shoes".  All my clothes were from donations, l slept in a cold unfriendly "room" with 11 other "unwanted souls."

So PLEASE be a little mindful of how you perceive other people or what they have to say.

Have you walked a mile in my shoes ???????

I am where l am today because l got of my unfat a*se and made something of myself, thanks the Australian

------------------------------------

Good grief, I think you have taken my post personally when it wasn't meant that way at all. I was more commenting on reports about differences between economic areas, not about your personal views. I didn't perceive it that you were putting poor people 'down'.

I was simply trying to say that if we are objective we need to look at eating patterns right across the board. It seems to me that eating out/ buying pre made meals is a big part of our society now, in both wealthy and poorer areas. So what  is needed are more attractive & healthy food options that are also affordable.

I actually think that is starting to happen.

There's a good book called Framework of Poverty which I think is brilliant at describing mind set/beliefs/motivating factors across class.

Possibly the most interesting finding in it was that the differences are not really related to money, as most people think.

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@springyzone wrote:

There's a reason.

 

years back I spoke to a woman I know, who had 6 kids and her explanation was that people on a low-average income can't afford to eat out at expensive restaurants but they still want to be like everyone else and sometimes have a break from cooking or take the family out, so maccas gives them an affordable outlet for a treat.

 

I think maybe we need to look at it the other way round. In the very high income areas, how many restaurants are there & how often do those couples eat out? I was shocked once to read that often these people can be out 3 or 4 times a week for fine dining. And for most, it is at least twice, eg for lunch with the girls or dinner.

 

Admittedly, they are probably eating better quality food but it seems to me hypocritical to be down on poorer people who buy take away once a week when their richer counterparts are eating out more.

 

Companies build where there is a market. The wealthy  are going out just as much if not more, but not to cheaper places.

 

Answer. We need cheaper places that serve some healthier food in attractive ways.

---

but it seems to me hypocritical to be down on poorer people who buy take away once a week when their richer counterparts are eating out more.

My point to you was your owns words here above, l was not being hypocritical to be down on poor people, ...... because l was not.

The whole basis of my post was of the impact that the Fast Food Chain Outlets are HAVING in out Lower Social Economic Areas, 

and that we have to modify and educate our young, and not so young to the dangers of these type of "eating establishments", which is a proved fact, beyond any doubt, that yes, the companies place them where they can get the greatest return for their investment, dollar wise. $$$$$$$

springyzone, you and l fully agree, it is just that we are approaching the same problem, but from two different avenues, BUT have arrived at the same conclusion, we need to educate ourselves to the pitfalls of these "eating outlets."   All good springzone, thanks.

I'm sorry, the sentence was not meant to be aimed at you or your post at all. I meant it to refer to all the news reports about poorer areas/people eating too much take away etc. I can see though how you might have taken it a sa personal remark. It definitely was not meant that way.

As i said, no news reports seem to look at the whole picture, which is our changing culture/people eating out more across the board.

I see the dangers in unhealthy eating habits but I think the pressure has to be on some of these shops to improve what they offer and as I said i think that is slowly happening.

How much we can or should regulate individuals though, and what they can buy or eat, I am not sure.

I think change has to come on a broader front-pressure on the companies themselves and also maybe pressure on the govt. We could grow a lot of our food here but our farmers are crowded out by a lot of inferior overseas food products, in my opinion. I see that as a big problem.

Just a thought: I wonder how often Clive Palmer buys maccas.