Long queues a horrifying sight

I could not believe my eyes when I read the letter from Chan Ka-ming (South China Morning Post, October 5), who referred to McDonald's Snoopy dogs as 'something to feel good about; something to cling to', in times of recession.

It horrifies me to see people lining our polluted streets under a blazing sun for 28 days in a row.

I am surprised that there have been no reports of people suffering from asthma attacks or heat stroke whilst queuing.

They queue for several hours for these beagles that are sold for up to $200 each in the second-hand market.

I cannot help thinking about the costs involved in lost productivity, assuming most of these people are employed. In this world capital of entrepreneurship, I expect some of the five per cent-plus unemployed to apply for a part-time job at their local McDonald's.

By doing so, they will be able to supplement their meagre income by buying several of these beagles and channelling these into the second-hand market.

Also, I would expect the Dongguan factories in our motherland will start churning out replicas as their profit margins will surely be higher than selling pirate VCDs.

Dr JOHN NGAI-MAN YEUNG Happy Valley