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McDonald‘s ’De-Americanizes’ London Olympics Uniforms — But Why?

McDonalds Faces Questions Over De Americanizing Workers UniformsMcDonald’s, the popular, American fast-food chain, is poised to find itself at the center of controversy over its alleged decision to de-Americanize the design of outfits that Olympic staffers will be wearing this summer.

Now, rather than sporting a more American-centric look, the 2,000 McDonald’s food-service employees who will be working at the London games will be wearing more bland, modern and pickle and mustard-colored clothing.

“We’ve taken some of the Americanism out of the uniforms,” said Wayne Hemingway, a British fashion designer, in an interview with Yahoo! Shine.

According to Hemingway, the changes came after examining some of the new McDonald’s restaurants that take a more “serious” approach in their design. Rather than baseball caps, which he likened to items worn by individuals working at gas stations, he said the new design called for something more “proper.”

McDonalds Faces Questions Over De Americanizing Workers Uniforms

Wayne Hemmingway and the new outfits (Image Credit: Yahoo! Shine)

So, what does “proper” look like? Mustard-colored skinny ties, belts, lettuce-green pants for customer service workers and yellow polo shirts — oh, and pickle-green shirts as well. Fox News‘ Todd Starnes said it’s “Mad Men meets Big Mac.” Baseball caps will be traded out as well.

Starnes captured some of the reaction to the controversial changes:

“What is wrong with looking American?” asked Penny Macaw. “I am tired of people wanting to look global. We are American and should be proud of it.”

“I think they are pandering to the political pressure and it is absurd,” a Facebook reader said. “Dress them in red, white and blue and keep the ball cap. It’s the most American piece of clothing out there.”

But others said McDonald’s has a right to dress its employees any way they choose.

“I don’t really have a problem with them changing the uniform to firm the country or culture,” one reader said. “But why the phrase ‘de-Americanize’? Is McDonald’s ashamed of America?”

While some have expressed confusion regarding why the de-Americanization was needed, McDonald‘s is defending Hemingway’s design and commentary.

“Wayne and his design team have done a great job of creating striking new designs that bind sustainability into the new UK uniforms,” the company wrote in a statement to Fox News Radio. “The new uniform complements the colors of our redesigned restaurants.”

Interestingly — but not surprisingly — the company didn‘t respond to a question about Hemingway’s assertion that the uniforms were changed to look less American. While the new look may go into effect in restaurants across the United Kingdom, there are no plans to change workers’ outfits at locations inside the U.S.

(H/T: Fox News Radio)

Comments (45)

1 2
  • Redleg99
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 9:46am

    Obveus there to ugly to look American.

    Report Post »  
  • sbs21078
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 8:58am

    Sustain this! “1776 & 1812″ You corporate shill!

    Report Post »  
    • yougottabekidding
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 9:14am

      Do not eat there ,have not left anything there that I would have to go there to look for it,
      DO take great offense to the term deAmericanization and the apparent need to use it
      Mcdonalds targets and carters to one group which goes right along with the ruining of America.

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 4:34pm

      After eating in London eating what passes for food, you willb e happy to stand in line for a Big Mac.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 8:56am

    The Waffle House has paid tribute to the English with their employees…they all have bad teeth.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:53pm

      Now that’s just down right funny!

      I now consider the last quarter pounder w/cheese meal size large my last. With my family it’s about $20 a week they will no longer get.

      How that for sustainability you stupid traitorous bastards?

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
  • Kenszen
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 8:25am

    Well, the British aren’t exactly known for their fashion prowess, are they? Americanism aside, the new look isn’t much of an improvement. Really bland colors, bland design—fits real well into the British culture. Yuck.

    “new designs that bind sustainability” I am really getting tired of that “s” word. It is so overused today. And mostly by progressives in a progressive context. BTW, what in the world does that statement mean? I guess it means a style that will be long-term for them. Using that word always sounds like gobbledygook to me.

    Report Post »  
  • johnnysmoke
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 8:13am

    i quit eating a Mcdonalds when i found out what black365.com was. go ahead google it

     
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 10:25am

      Domain for sale. You should just go ahead and explain it then.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • Anti_Spock
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 8:12am

    They succeeded by simply removing fat-ass employees.

    Report Post » Anti_Spock  
    • Sol Invictus
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 10:00am

      Anti-Spock – where have you been? Haven’t seen you on here for months. Welcome back!

      Report Post » Sol Invictus  
  • shirtsbyeric
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 8:10am

    Since when do McDonald’s uniforms represent America. I‘m American and I’ve never dress anything like those uniforms.

    Report Post »  
  • Inlightofthings
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:59am

    Ray Kroc would be so disappointed. He travelled the country looking for new locations and loved the country as far as I know. Just another corporation over-thinking the whole U.S.A. thing…

    Report Post »  
  • Rashomon
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:54am

    McDonald’s – were lean, were hip, we serve ground cow lip.

    Report Post » Rashomon  
  • US-First
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:50am

    This is a joke, right? It is as absurd to de-Americanize MacDonald’s as it is to get upset about fast food representing America across the globe. If MacDonalds restaurant is in another country it is not an American restaurant. Please don’t claim some prideful ownership in the export of fast food. Has anyone eaten at MacDonalds on other countries? It doesn’t even taste the same. It‘s not American any more than French Fries are French or Pizza from Domino’s is Italian. Let it go!

    Report Post »  
    • Kenszen
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 8:19am

      I‘ve eaten McD’s in Japan and it tastes exactly the same. Of course, that’s the Japanese—masters at copying. (And I mean that as a compliment and as an observation of what they have done well in manufacturing ever since WWII.)

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 4:43pm

      I have eaten McDonalds in the UK and Germany. Tastes the same.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • Certainperson
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:38am

    Another boycott? Getting a bit crazy around the edges lately, boycott-wise. No Kraft products even though the offending product is oreos, which are less than yummy and slightly boring without the color changing ploy. Now I can’t go to Mickey Ds because the employees look pretty sharp even though the uniforms are desgned by an arrogant girly-man? I gotta pass on this one. And the last one. No oreos because they taste lousy and I hate pandering, but Velveeta, so far, hasn’t gotten in my face, so to speak :-)

    Report Post » Certainperson  
  • piper60
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:37am

    I don’t agree with boycotts in general. Perhaps if we stuff their email box for a few weeks.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • lgccac
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:34am

    So they’re ashamed to be Americans, huh?

    I don‘t eat at McDonald’s because I don’t like their food.

    Report Post »  
  • ricckky
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:29am

    When the biggest American success story starts going “commie” We have bigger problems than the American people know. The infiltration of this marxist garbage has gone too far. There will be a backlash—and M will be sorry they became a “turncoat”

    Report Post »  
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:28am

    me and mine do not eat mc donalds bs fake food.

    everr seen a 4 yr old burger…looks the same as the new ones.

    This Is Why You Shouldn’t Eat Happy Meals — Six Months of a Happy Meal’s Eternal Life
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoFpsUvaJlE&feature=related

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
  • Ron Staiger
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:07am

    We need to de-McDonaldize our appetite!

    Report Post »  
  • sawbuck
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:07am

    The clothes do look better than the average uniform.

    If they do that hear…Mickey D’s employees ….Will for sure think their worth $12 hr…

    Report Post » sawbuck  
  • Ron Staiger
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:06am

    Then I think we should take some Americans out of McDonalds!

    Report Post »  
  • dublinthewagons
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:05am

    Been eating too much pink slime.

    Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:05am

    PATRIOTS, AMERICANS FROM THE INSIDE OUT: BOYCOTT, I DO MEAN B-O-Y-C-O-T-T mcdonalds from now through the end of the year. their slime-y loss is our gain.

    WE THE PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER FUND ANTI-AMERICAN BUSINESSES, DESIGNERS, IMPORTERS, EXPORTERS. you trash heap greedy b******s are done making money here.

    GOD IN HEAVEN, we thank YOU so much for uncovering the betrayers. Thank YOU for opening our eyes to the truth. Bless YOU, LORD. Please have a sun-shine, love-filled day today. YOU, LORD, deserve it! In JESUS’ SWEET AND MIGHTY name, amen.

    Report Post »  
  • nzkiwi
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:04am

    An iconic American success story is embarressed by itself. How pathetic.

    Ray Kroc is turning in his grave.

    Report Post »  
  • curmudgeon60
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 7:01am

    @SPANK! Someone should spank you!! That’s a racist unkind comment!
    RE: The Uniforms I GET IT! I’m a 62 year old woman that loves fashion and the MadMen series-I connect to the era– Why must they all wear red shirt uniforms like communists?! You don‘t need to wear a cross around your neck to show you’re a Christian if you have Jesus in your heart! Good grief!

    Report Post »  
  • Moozmom
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 6:50am

    My relatives died in WWII so that this dumb son of a bitch could be ashamed of the USA. How pathetic.

    Report Post »  
  • AllLost
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 6:41am

    I was just about to go to McD’s, guess it will be another shopt.

    Report Post »  
  • BradLee
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 6:34am

    Are they going to make that thing in a skirt on the end wear a hair net? Because if not…ewwwwwwww…gross…bad enough they let them work there.

    Report Post »  
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