People Before Policy: Compassion Rules Out at a McDonald's

I have hesitated posting this story for fear of possible consequences but I hope that it only inspires compassion.

One night I was up late writing and I needed to stop. I hadn't eaten since early that morning and I didn't want to cook anything, so I caved. I got in my car and drove to a McDonald's. When I pulled into the drive-thru I thought of my favorite food guy, Marcus Guiliano of www.chefonamission.com, and almost left. But the line of cars was so long for the drive-thru and there was no one waiting for counter service, so I parked.

In the parking lot and within close proximity I noticed an unusually large number of homeless people wandering and waiting but none of them were soliciting anyone for anything, but I sensed they were waiting for something.

As I walked into the restaurant I noticed a small group of shabby but warmly dressed people with duffel bags and backpacks sitting patiently outside the bathroom. There was no attempt to hide what they were doing but everyone was being quiet and respectful. I thought it was odd because you rarely see businesses and restaurants turn a blind eye to the homeless being on their premises. They're not usually good for business.

As I ordered my food, I asked an employee if she knew about the line of homeless outside of the bathroom and a manager quickly rushed over to her register to inquire if I had been bothered. I insisted that I hadn't and had to actually convince him that I was fine and not upset about them using the bathroom. I told him that I thought it was wonderful that they opened their doors to those in need of a place to take care of themselves. He then asserted with a fearful wink that homeless people were not permitted to utilize the restaurants bathroom and that he could face consequences for turning a blind eye to their presence. I jokingly claimed to have not seen anything and assured him that his secret was safe with me, but I asked him why he was willing to risk so much for these people? His head became heavy and his shoulders fell with a sigh. He shared that he to had once been homeless and that one of the hardest things for him to maintain when he was without a home was his day to day hygiene.

"I would go weeks between showers and months before being able to wash my clothes. No one cared that I was dirty. I was homeless. That's what they expect you to be."

I was left speechless. I looked at him with more respect and admiration than I've looked at three US Presidents. I then glanced at a donation box for the Ronald McDonald House charity and told him that it was a shame that he could potentially lose his job for helping others when their own charity was literally doing the same thing.

He smiled. "Policy is policy."

My food was handed to me and I shook the managers hand and thanked him.

I am so grateful there are people like him in the world.