McDonald's Stick-Up Incident in Cairns, Australia

Dark, rainy night in Cairns

Well, that night wasn't as simple as everything-happened-as-planned thing. Rewinding back to the part where me, a guy friend and a girl friend, went out to buy food. Our mood that time was sleepy, tired and hungry. It was drizzling and the streets were dimly lit. Nobody, as in no other person was walking at that time of the night other than the three of us and we did that for the sake of our growling tummies. As we were looking for a place to buy food, we saw a bunch of people and still lit establishments three blocks away from our hotel. Our eyes twinkled as we saw McDonald's! I was like, "okay guys, no more choosing, this is it. No other choice."

McDonald's located at The Esplanade & Shields St, Cairns QLD 4870, Australia

To the left, we saw McDonald's. To the right, we saw a group of people, which appeared to be drunk, horse-playing outside a bar. As we entered and ordered our food, we waited by the counter when suddenly, a drunk girl entered and talked to a group of customers inside. The girl was really drunk. Later on, she flashed her butt in front of the customers. That's the time when all the other people dining inside McDonald's went out -- with only 3 of us and some McDonald staff.

I sensed that something not nice would happen so what I did was, I walked slowly to the door, near the exit. I did that so I could ask for help in case anything happens as we were pretty defenseless from a big drunk lady which apparently, had a guy friend with him right outside the store. Sort of acting like a lookout. (Always assume that these crazy drunk people have guns)

Just before I reached the door. she declared, "This is a stick-up!". Funny thing was, she was using her hands acting like it was a gun. The not funny thing was, she was really shouting and looking dead serious. Then, her guy friend (in red cap as seen in the photo below) entered and just sat at the dining area while the girl was doing all this. She pointed her literally "hand" gun to our heads (not in the photo), pointing at us, one at a time. She went near my friends at the counter and was now shouting, "Get on the ground!". Of course, none of us was responding or doing whatever she was telling us which made it scarier because who knows what a drunk person can do.

Drunk girl harassing the other customer. Guy in red cap is her companion.

A few seconds after (where every second that time felt like hours), another asian guy entered and also didn't mind her but this guy was answering back at her which made the drunk girl more pissed. The thing is, there are no security guards on duty (I don't think they need 'em there) and the staff weren't really doing anything other than telling the girl to go out and leave the store.

The guy customer who entered was doing otherwise. They were throwing cuss back and forth but no physical fight erupted. After awhile, the girl and his guy friend went out as the manager of McDonalds escorted them out.

McDonald's manager asking the drunk girl to leave the establishment

It was very professional of those McDonald's staff to do such. Everything was resolved peacefully. I was also thankful that the other customer came because who would've known what will happen if he didn't come along. We didn't want to fight back or react violently as we were only in Cairns for less than 3 hours that time, tired, hungry and sleepy.

Honestly, it was traumatic for the 3 of us but we still thank God that nothing happened. Just some badly ectched first impression memories from Cairns.

Lesson learned: Don't let your guard down. No matter how safe a country is, your instinct and alertness will help save you.

Cheftonio
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