I was a 20-something dethroned dotcom ceo that went to work at mcdonald's (2000)

McDonald’s Stint & Career Narrative

• Timeline suggests the McDonald’s job lasted only a few weeks while the founder was still nominally chairman of his prior company.
• Some see it as an interesting biographical detail that arguably “belongs” on a public profile; others note many people omit short or off-track jobs.
• A few view it as “slumming” given he didn’t need the money; others push back that short stints and high turnover are normal in fast food.

Fast Food Work as Experience vs “Slumming”

• Multiple commenters recount working at McDonald’s or similar: some describe it as fun, social, even “zen” when young; others recall it as high-pressure, tightly timed, constantly monitored, and emotionally draining.
• Several stress the class dynamic: for them it was survival, not a character-building experiment.
• There’s explicit discomfort with privileged people briefly “cosplaying” low-wage work when others are stuck there.

Pay, Hierarchy, and Economic Reality

• Conflicting claims about store-manager pay: some say top managers at company-owned stores can reach ~$150–200k with bonuses; others cite self-reported data closer to ~$40–60k and note most locations are franchises.
• Commenters recall very low wages (~$5–6/hr around 2000) and current difficulty hiring at minimum wage.
• Broader complaints include cost-of-living spikes, stagnant wages, and perceived concentration of gains at the top.

Desire to Escape Tech / “Normal Job” Fantasies

• Many tech workers fantasize about temporary “simpler” jobs (fast food, barista, truck driver, farmer, receptionist) as a break from cognitive load, office politics, and on-call stress.
• Others warn hospitality and fast food are not “easy breaks” but stressful, underpaid, and increasingly dangerous or unpleasant post‑2020.

Customer Behavior, Gratitude, and Management

• The “nobody thanked me” line triggers debate: some insist customers commonly say thanks; others think the complaint targets management, not customers.
• Several note a rise in rudeness and aggression toward frontline workers, especially since 2020.
• There’s consensus that managers often fail to give specific, sincere appreciation, making such jobs feel thankless.

Physical & Mental Demands

• Accounts mention back injuries, repetitive stress, long hours on feet, and night shifts.
• Some contrast the clear boundaries and immediate feedback of service work with the chronic, diffuse stress of knowledge work.