Would You Like Fries with That?

This cute question, asked by McDonald’s counter staff in the '80s, has become the catchphrase to describe the principle of upselling. It could also be a great guiding principle for our lives.

Upselling is the process of making sure the customer is reminded of the options that are available with a purchase. The thinking is that if the customer doesn’t know about the possibilities she/he is not likely to buy them. It’s hard to argue with the logic, or McDonald’s success!

About now you are thinking “what has this got to do with Chaplaincy or the soul?” Lot’s actually, for two reasons: all of us have hidden treats others would enjoy if only they knew about them; and when it comes to faith there is so much more on offer than simply following ritual and observance.

I believe that we need to practice “would you like fries with that?” frequently because the pace of life and the complacency that comes from daily behaviour sometimes pushes our best treats out of view.

The love, gratitude and admiration that lives in your heart is not always seen by those for whom you feel it, you need to advertise it in your actions and words. When did you last tell your mum/dad/sibling/spouse “I love you” with actual words? When did you last say, or write, “thank you” to a teacher, a friend or a colleague? Who have you congratulated recently, who have you comforted? To whom have you offered help? These are the treats that make the experience of life so much better – for the recipient and the giver.

It is similarly so for faith; it is saddening that so many people who identify with a Faith have such a limited experience of what it offers. It is a bit like going into McDonald’s weekly and never eating the food.

Whatever your brand of Faith may be, make sure you look for the fries that come with it. For a Christian it is that at Easter we don’t just profess that Christ died for our sins but we deeply and personally accept that we are forgiven. It is that we don’t just sing “Joy to the World” at Christmas, but that we take time every day to apply that joy to our own lives and share it with others. It is actively applying the truths and promises of the Bible to every area of our lives.

By the way, “do you want fries with that?” was not invented by McDonald’s. Its most famous expression, but in different words, was made by Jesus 2,000 years ago when He said “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matt 5:14)