Doraemon Zodiac: Would you be offended?

Race and Religion are taboo issues even on the Internet, with bloggers previously being charged for it. See here for the article on that issue.

McDonald's in their attempt to be sensitive to their Muslim customers decided to drop a Doraemon Pig toy figure and replace it with a Cupid Doraemon holding a heart. This is perplexing on many levels because having lived in this country for over two decades, I can safely say that as a society, we generally have been mutually tolerant of other races and religions and for McDonald's to make such a decision would seem like an over-reaction.

Indeed as pointed out in the same report in The New Paper, two customers, Madam Roslinda Abu Hassan and Mr Mohammad Ariff did not agree with McDonald's decision to remove an inherent part of the Chinese Zodiac in a series of toys aimed at celebrating the lunar festivities and their replies seem to indicate that McDonald's decision was uncalled for.

click image for bigger text

For McDonald's to unilaterally make the decision based on their desire to be "sensitive", the decision may very well have resulted in a negative effect instead of a positive one where they envisioned being given a pat on the back for it's very sensitive decision. Instead, customers who desire a complete set that "makes sense" rather than a set containing an "alien" like a cupid alongside 11 other zodiac animals, or any one specifically looking to purchase the missing "Doraemon Pig" for the very innocent reasons ranging from cuteness to being born in the years 1959, 1971, 1983 and 2005 would be disappointed. One may even wonder why the Golden Arches deems itself to be an organization with sufficient authority to unilaterally censor and alter the Chinese Zodiac.

At the same time, the very set of customers that McDonald's were trying hard not to offend, may end up having more reason to be offended by the Golden Arches' perceived notion that their Muslim customers would be offended by a series of toys themed after the Zodiac.

After all, as Madam Roslinda rightly points out, it is only a toy. No one should get overly worked up over something so trivial and it was definitely heartening to see that I wasn't the only one surprised by the overly serious manner McDonald's has treated the issue.

We should just remember this as yet another "unintended buzz" alongside Singpost's Mailbox Vandal and everyone should look on the light side and have a good laugh at the expense of McDonald's. Perhaps collectors should collect the full series in commemoration of McDonald's very sensitive 2010 Doraemon 11 animal and 1 cupid series. At $2 per piece with any purchase, they are also very sensitive to your wallet, making sure that they don't burn a hole in it.

Coming Soon: Was McDonald's Always So Sensitive?