Comments on: Slumming the Golden Arches at Yahoo! News

By: Macaca

Macaca — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:44:36 +0000

The differences between two things very similar make them more interesting. The way the Chinese (or Thai or Brits or whatever) follow the McDonalds (or Starbucks or KFC etc) brand give so much insight into the way these people are. You can reverse this too: what will be the main differences be for a Thai or Chinese customer in your own local McDonalds?

Also a small national version is fun (albeit a bit less exotic): how does your local McD in a main city compare to a smaller one? Are there different kinds of people working there? Is it dirtier? Smoother service or not? Quality of the food? Would the franchise management acknowledge these differences, and what’s McD-Global’s policy about this?

I like your point on the “absence of place and culture”, it makes McD Global almost a science experiment: Build the same standard styled fastfood-shops in 20 countries, add some locals, and observe differences. Then substract the standard influence and your remainder is the uniqueness of those peoples.

By: francesbean

francesbean — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:33:13 +0000

I think the only time I would consider McDeathwish would be when I am completely disoriented in another country.

By: Lloyd

Lloyd — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 23:46:32 +0000

Since my travel is within the US via my RV, the last resort is a fast food chain or restaurant chain of any variety. Getting off the main drag I have found some great meals — and bargains. There have been times when it was a bad deal. However, my curiosity desires something other than the expected.

By: Sheila Scarborough

Sheila Scarborough — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 00:53:09 +0000

Here, here; I agree with Pam.

I don’t usually seek out overseas Mickey D’s (well, unless I have a kid in tow who needs a bathroom, then I’m thrilled to see one) but sometimes when traveling I need to know exactly what I’m going to get. Maybe, just for a few minutes, I do not WANT to be surprised.

And the travel snoots who have a problem with that can plant one on my Quarter-Poundered posterior, because I’ll rack up the “where I’ve been” points with anyone.

Not that I’m defensive, mind you….

By: pam

pam — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:37:42 +0000

On a very humid stopover in Singapore, I found myself in a Starbucks. I was jetlagged, it was very hot, I had a screaming headache, it was All Too Much. There I was in the overly air conditioned Starbucks that looked just like the one around the corner from my Seattle home. I felt totally relieved. I make a conscious effort to avoid this sort of crutch when traveling, but every now and then when weight of the air is so heavy I think it will crush me, I want an iced latte in an absolutely undemanding location. It gives me a chance to catch up with myself. I used to think only sissied did such things, but now, a brief (and rare) shift back to the familiar fortifies me for what’s next.

By: almendro

almendro — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:32:30 +0000

In Spain, McDonald’s sells beer. And gazpacho. But best of all, the apple pies are still fried (in a nod toward ‘heathfulness’–who are they kidding?–the pies are now apparently baked in the US).

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 11:56:38 +0000

Well I’ve been in Japan a little over three months now. I’ve managed to avoid McDonald’s (as I don’t eat it in my home country) but somehow ended up in Kenta (KFC) for lunch one day.

I was on a superfast lunch break, dived in for a quick bite, and soon remembered why I adamantly avoid this style of take out in Australia.

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy a bit of fast food- I often buy takoyaki (octopus balls) from neighborhood stands, and love to eat from the street stalls in Kobe Chinatown.

By: Dusty

Dusty — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 14:31:02 +0000

In India, aloo tikki (mashed potato ball) is a hot seller at Mc Donald. It is mashed potato ball, fried and sandwiched between a burger. Yes, no beef is served in India. In addition to the aloo burger, you get a chicken burger and a fish burger. The usual fries and coke of course.