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Whether or not McDonalds or KFC or Coca Cola is expensive depends upon the country and the disposable income of the local residents. In Paris it's not too bad, but for an average person in a developing country, yes, it would be pricey.
I mean it's rather expensive compared to other local food options. That's probably different to the U.S. For example a pizza from Domino's here in Germany is significant more expensive than a pizza from an independent pizza restaurant. The manufacturing costs of Coca-Cola is identical to the manufacturing costs of a store brand cola, but the retail price is almost 3 times higher. The prices are boosted by advertising and higher profit margins. That's in my opinion not a good thing.
My wife and I have started traveling abroad now that we have the time and can finally afford it. In all places-Rome, Barcelona, Edinburg,, Rio, Nice, London- I see McDonalds, KFC, Starbucks, etc., and I feel like these American fast food places are polluting the local environment. I admit, here at home I frequent these places (well, not KFC). However, when I came to an intersection in one of these cities and there was an American fast food joint on all four corners I was sickened by how trashy they seemed . Perhaps it's just the garish signage and logos that they have, mixed in with the local architecture, but it really seems to cheapen the image of what America has to offer. I have no problem with American clothing retailers, etc (although some are, themselves, derived from foreign business or names like Armani or Cardin, or even Polo or Macy's). Is our US image largely based on fast food? Or is this just an idiosyncratic reaction by one person?
The fast food franchises abroad are the least of the problem. As someone else mentioned, they usually adapt somewhat to the local market to be viable. I last ate at a McDonalds in 2008 when travelling in Italy while stuck waiting at train station.
If you want to discuss US Culture depicted abroad (or sewage we pollute/corrupt those abroad with), you need to focus on Mass media programming and entertainment: Movies, Music, Television programming, Computer games, et al. I know it's not all bad. There's nothing quite so humorous as catching old Warner Brothers cartoons in some foreign language (sans Mel Blanc) but I think you get the gist of what I am trying to say. If you need help watch this documentary: https://freedocumentaries.org/docume...on-1-episode-1
Then if you really want to go deeper (Economics) read: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, by John Perkins. It will open your eyes as to why those abroad may not particularly care for the 'help' we continually extort (I mean) export to them.
McDonalds overseas is vastly superior to McDonalds in America. For me one of the most deeply shocking things in the US was that McDonalds was usually dirty and the food tasted awful. The fries taste rancid and fishy, and the burgers are just wrong. I've had McDonalds in probably 15-20 countries, including things like mutton and teriyaki burgers for the same reason as others have mentioned - clean, cheap, toilets, plus in very different cultures it's nice to have some western style food. And yet, every time I forget and try to eat it in the US I end up throwing half of my meal away. Laugh if you will, but every time I leave the US (I am not American, but live there ATM) I get me some McDonalds.
The things which non-Americans hate about the US and which show your culture in a bad light are not the fast food restaurants. Well, maybe Starbucks, but even that is different overseas. Starbucks in Canada is drinkable, although Starbucks failed in Australia because it couldn't compete with our local coffee culture.
Maybe stop visiting the ghetto McDonald's? The locations closest to me keep the place scrupulously clean and use only fresh oils and properly prepared ingredients.
McDonalds overseas is vastly superior to McDonalds in America. For me one of the most deeply shocking things in the US was that McDonalds was usually dirty and the food tasted awful. The fries taste rancid and fishy, and the burgers are just wrong. I've had McDonalds in probably 15-20 countries, including things like mutton and teriyaki burgers for the same reason as others have mentioned - clean, cheap, toilets, plus in very different cultures it's nice to have some western style food. And yet, every time I forget and try to eat it in the US I end up throwing half of my meal away. Laugh if you will, but every time I leave the US (I am not American, but live there ATM) I get me some McDonalds.
The things which non-Americans hate about the US and which show your culture in a bad light are not the fast food restaurants. Well, maybe Starbucks, but even that is different overseas. Starbucks in Canada is drinkable, although Starbucks failed in Australia because it couldn't compete with our local coffee culture.
The hyperbole here is hilarious.
First of all, the fries aren't "fishy", the fries are disgusting now from vegetarians raising a stink over beef tallow in the recipe for 67 years so they changed it.
So you just "forget" and order McD when you're here? Really?
So sorry there are "things" non-Americans hate about the US. Most people couldn't care less -good idea to stay away. We won't be offended in the least. We have enough immigration and foreigner problems here we don't need people who don't even WANT to be here or who "hate the US and our culture".
And of course this begs the question why you're utilizing a US website to complain and submit 2000 posts on. Doesn't AU have community message boards?
Furthermore, Starbucks didn't "fail in AU because they couldn't compete with your coffee". They failed because they were arrogant and stupid and introduced what is POPULAR in the US without even doing any research to see if it would fly. One of the dumbest product mistakes in history besides changing the Coke recipe. THEN they flooded the country in WAY WAY WAY too many stores that took away the uniqueness just because it works here.
Seems to me, someone as worldly as you would know that the espresso-drip style coffee in AU is not just a "better version" of coffee. It's a preference of type of coffee and service. That's like me, Greek, complaining that your AU coffee isn't Turkish coffee.
I mean, you seriously don't think America has espresso in coffee shops?
LOL Wawa stores sell over $1000 per hour in take out coffee every morning and I'm going back over ten years that I know of. AMERICAN coffee. They sell 200 Million cups of coffee yearly and aren't even nation-wide but regional on the East coast- around 700 stores.
And AU couldn't even TRY and meet the demand we have here. You have 23 Million people in your whole country. Barely larger than the size of FLORIDA and smaller than TEXAS.
Do your stores even HAVE takeout?
Last edited by runswithscissors; 07-28-2016 at 03:36 PM..
I'm a world traveler. I'm a permanent US Resident from Canada; so I have seen the US influence first hand. America is a great country, don't sell it short. You guys are too hard on the US. American culture is arguably universal culture around the world. The dominant news of the day usually comes from the US. The music you hear abroad is usually American in clubs/restaurants/radio. Trends start in America. Youth around the world dress like American teenagers. Hip Hop and Dance/Club music has spread around the world, just like Jazz. If you want true global success in business; you have to tap the huge US market. English signage is seen everywhere (like airports) in addition to the local language. Countries around the world cater to the American tourist. When was the last time we heard a Finnish song on the radio; or watch a movie made in Brazil. US culture dominates here; as it is the pinnacle of success in entertainment here and around the world. The English speaking countries of UK, Canada, Australia, and the Carribbean are also successful in importing their culture too because English is such an important language.
Might be off-topic, but from my viewpoint, it's really interesting to see how McDonald's in other countries (France and Germany, for example) have a much wider variety of menu items than what's available here in the US. (or at least, in my area......we're not a test market so we just have the usual/traditional menu items)
I have to say that fast food outlets in the U.S sell the most BORING food ever. McDonalds in France sells macarons; in India, they have half-decent spicy food. The North American outlets are so boring.
In those countries, they might consider those foods the norm and therefore boring.
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