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A few weeks ago, I came across a blog post titled “Authentic Travelers Don’t Eat McDonald’s.” At first, I was ready to post a comment of my disagreement. But as I read further, I realized the author was rebutting the title statement. There’s nothing wrong with indulging in the occasional Westernized meal, he argued. Sometimes, after a long time on the road, you just want something familiar.
While I never eat fast food at home, my husband and I actually make a point to eat McDonald’s once in every country we visit. We’ve grilled beef with gauchos in Argentina and sampled puffin and whale in Iceland, but we’ve also munched McNuggets and fries in both of those countries. In addition to being a silly tradition we’ve shared since our first trip together, we actually think it provides a different look at the local culture. Local culture….at McDonald’s? Yes, really.
Sure, most of the items at McDonald’s are staples that are consistent across the globe. But some items vary depending on the country. Canadian McDonald’s franchises serve Poutine. The Deluxe breakfast in Hawaii comes with Spam. Rice and beans are available in Costa Rica. Burgers in Chile are topped with avocado. Israeli McDonald’s locations make the McKebab and outlets in India sell the Chicken McTikka. All of these are obviously more Westernized versions, but they certainly won’t be found at your corner McD’s.
And who’s to say that eating at a Tokyo noodle bar dive with a bunch of backpackers provides a more “authentic” experience than chatting with local teenagers over an Ebi Fillet at McDonald’s? What matters more than where we eat is how we connect with another culture. Of course I want to sample all the local specialities when I travel, but having one meal at McDonald’s doesn’t make me a less conscientious traveler.
Get out of the tourist bubble and make an effort to understand, respect, and connect with the locals and their culture. If you do that, who cares if you enjoy the occasional Big Mac?
Photo credit: loremipsum via Flickr
November 4th, 2009 at 12:49 am
I wholeheartedly agree with the author. I, too, enjoy not only seeing the different menu items, based on locality, but also take advantage of the value menu (1 euro, dollar, l lira, etc.).
November 4th, 2009 at 1:14 am
Good article. I have always thought this way about McDonald’s when I travel.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:12 am
Not a big fan of junk food and McDonald’s in particular, if I am in doubt about local cuisine, I can always rely on big mack. In Moscow , for example, it’s also cheaper than at some local restaurants.
November 4th, 2009 at 5:58 am
i’m a little sad to see such broadminded, beautiful and well traveled people eating McDonalds wherever they go, and touting it as a good idea to other people.
With the deepest respect, I offer that perhaps refraining from McDonalds entirely is the best idea of all, as surely there are other more exciting and healthful activities one could find to kick those homesick blues?
November 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Sigiriya should have been named one of the Wonders of the World, long ago, and now there is a proposal to name it as the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient world
Sri Lanka’s World Heritage site Sigiriya or Sihigiriya, the ‘Mount of Remembrance’ and its symbolic significance in the light of the philosophia perennis.
Come To Srilanka To Watch This World Heritage temple
November 4th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Going to American fast food restaurants in other countries could be fun. The menu will have food choices that you will not find in America. It could be one way for apprehensive travelers to try something new. Plus, you could always write about your experience. McDonald’s may not be the healthiest, but they are a global company which started out as a dream.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
many travelers actually seek out a mcdonalds everywhere they go to get an insight into the local culture.
gary arnd, everything everywhere does exactly this!
more on the “mcdonalds debate” here:
http://www.tripbase.com/blog/12-secrets-of-a-modern-day-nomad/
November 4th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Traveling always makes me appreciate McDonald’s
November 5th, 2009 at 3:24 am
Visiting mc donald it’s also an easy way to change the big notes…
November 5th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
You’ll hear plenty of Western travelers brag about “being the only Westerner” in a restaurant as proof of their adventurous, local-minded eating; this is also proof to them that the restaurant they chose must be good. I confess, I’ve said it, though I always hate myself a little bit afterward.
Even though I almost never eat fast food when home in the U.S. (and even then, it’s usually In-N-Out), in China I ate once at a McDonald’s and twice at a KFC. They were the only food I could find. I hadn’t eaten a Big Mac ever in my life before chowing down in China.
All three times, my husband and I were the only Westerners in there. We were approached by curious locals, had our pictures taken, and were generally gawked at. The cashier even had to dig up their dusty English menu so we could point to what we wanted.
In no way is it one of my treasured travel moments, but sometimes you just gotta eat!
November 6th, 2009 at 6:27 am
I can’t say I’m a big McDonalds fan and I do find that one of the nicest thing about travelling is sampling the local cuisine and immersing yourself in their foodie culture. However, for good or bad, the big yellow ‘M’ is always familiar… You can of course go to Iceland if you want to avoid it completely!!
November 9th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
The only thing you can eat is food.
McDonald’s isn’t food.
Therefore no one “eats” McDonald’s.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
[...] Flip side from last week — McDonald’s and the “authentic” travel argument [...]