Alex Vrancik
In his introduction, Watson writes about the ways that McDonald's tries to educate and enforce conformity among its customers in other countries--for example, forcing people to stand in lines, and insisting upon "smiling service" despite local norms to the contrary. To what extent do you think that McDonald's is a culturally imperial force promoting the homogenization of different cultures, or do you think it is sufficiently flexible to allow heterogenous, local appropriation of its global brand?
Natalie
What was your reaction to the the example in Moscow where the employee had to stand outside and warn the customers that the smiles the employees were wearing were not in mockery, but to show thier goodwill? Do you think culture, like constant smiling and a generally happy disposition, should be transmitted through these international chains like McDonalds? Why do you think McDonalds would adapt to different countries' diets but not thier customs?
Alex Pallottie
In regards to the idea of "cultural imperialism," Ronald Steel asserts, "We [U.S.] purvey a culture based on mass entertainment and mass gratification...The cultural message we transmit...goes out across the world to capture, and also to undermine, other societies...we are not content merely to subdue others: We insist that they be like us." When applying this statement to the McDonald's fast food industry, do you feel that this corporation forces itself on foreign consumers? Isn't this fast food "empire" still at the mercy of its consumer trends? Do you
think if people realized that factors such as their eating routines and food preferences can actually shape the way the local McDonald's operates, they would view foreign food chains as less of a threat to local indigenous cuisine?
Amanda Pisetzner
As a former McDonalds employee I have always found the amount of literature written on McDonalds fascinating. I thought the use of George Ritzer’s quote particular notable, that McDonaldization is “the process by which the principles of the fast food restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of…society.” If these are the principles of routinizations and standardization, stated a few sentences prior, than aren’t the examples given of localization a direct contradiction to this? Perhaps he speaks of different principles, to which I can only imagine they might be things like, technological fluency, ease of communication, etc. If this is the case, can we really attribute this progress to McDonalds?
Christy
On page 21 the author writes of McDonald's standardization process- "McDonald's has created a system that depends upon standardized procedures in everything from sandwich assembly to advanced management training..." Could this be seen as more than just a standardization of operation? Perhaps of foreign cultures? Do people fear or appreciate the predictability which globalization often creates?
Amanda Bisson
On page 7, Watson comments that in other countries McDonald's are used as a place to take a break from work or as a hot spot for teenagers. Personally, I found it so odd that people treat McDonald's almost like a Starbucks in other places. In America, considering McDonald's is afterall "fast food", people run in and run out or even grab their order through a window. Does this highlight our countries overall rushed lifestyle or does it say that other countries appreciate food more and enjoy time to sit and eat?
Zach Fritz
On page 26 and 27 Watson describes the high turnover rate in employees at McDonalds, and Arby's touch-screen ordering system. The fast food seems thats its working for maximum profit, no matter what the cost. Does this dehumanization of the ordering process hurt or help the social world?
Hannah
The idea of local culture of southeast asia is one that is heavily discussed in Watson's introduction, with that being said does America have a "local culture" or has our culture become one that is shared by many other localities?
Shannon
What are some examples of localization we experience here as Lafayette students? Any business try to accommodate for this trend?
Ian
Because McDonalds is so specific to each culture, catering to local tastes and using local managers and business men, is it just the name that can be considered transnational? Or is it the fact that McDonalds sells a distinct system that makes this model of fast food the ultimate transnational company?
Gavin
In the introduction, the author(s) talk about how the McDonald's brand has adapted to each in every culture they immerse themselves into. For example, on page nineteen the author(s) talk about how McDonald's has transposed the birthday experience to East Asia and it has become a hit. How do you think this cultural phenomenon has become so important that the McDonald's corporation has adapted it all of the world? Why would you want to have your birthday party at a McDonald's? Why do you feel that kids love to have their birthday parties at McDonald's? Do you feel that this cultural phenomenon of having a childhood birthday party at McDonald's is apparent in the United States? Explain.
Stacey
McDonald's is the perfect example of globalization. It changes slightly from country to country to appeal to the consumers who live there. Why haven't all restaurants or other chains like clothing stores become so popular or try to expand as much as McDonald's has?
Stephanie
Throughout the reading, Watson gives various examples of the two different viewpoints, one stating that the globalization of the McDonald's food chain is a triumph, and the other stating that it is a form of exploitation. Based on all the information within the chapter, which argument do you believe is better supported?
Julie
After reading Watson's Introduction, do you consider McDonald's to be an agent of cultural imperialism? Do you view consumers differently than you previously did?
On page 54 Tim Lai, the General Manager of Beijing McDonald's stated "In Beijing, McDonald's should be local rather than American or exotic," yet Yan emphasizes that the main appeal to Chinese adults is that McDonald's is American, and many parents bring their children to McDonald's in order for them to "learn more about American culture" (65). Can a company be distinctly American as well as local at the same time?
Amanda Bisson
In previous chapters, Watson discusses that USA's McDonald's use smiling as a technique of appearing warm and comforting, as most people in American do as well. On page 60, Watson says that the Beijing McDonald's thrives on personal interactions between customers and employees also. There are "extra employees" there to chat with customers and the chiildren to make them feel more comfortable. Americans don't get that kind of service at regular restaurants in the US, and people going to McDonald's in Beijing do. What does this say about Americans' personality and friendliness?
Natalie
On page 65, it talks about a mother who brought her daughter to McDonalds twice a week because she wanted her daughter to "learn more about American culture." How does it make you feel to know that people are equating American culture to McDonalds? Are you offended? Do you feel this is an accurate snapshot of our culture that we want to sharing to the whole world?
Zach Fritz
If Chinese people are viewign this McDonald's as American culture, and it is clearly not fully American, what other types of false American culture could be found? Does this negate or put any doubt into the idea of globalization destroying culture?
Christy
The fruit that the children consider necessary for a proper birthday cake (p. 104) doesn't come from China, yet they find it of utmost importance to have American blueberries on their cake. What sort of foods do Americans think of as being "in" that aren't American? What do we associate with this food, or what are its characteristics, so that it is raised up a level on our social radar?
Gavin
Last class we discussed essentialism and primodialism. Do you think that children being submissive in daily life could apply to those ideals? Let's say that it would be compared to those ideas, how does that change Japanese lifestyle? How do you think McDonald's knew to appeal to this new audience when thirty years ago children were so submissive?
Amanda Pisetzner
Is it simply luck that McDonald's has been THE localized, successful "hang-out spot" for hundreds of Chinese citizens? It is only briefly mentioned that Hard Rock Cafe and Pizza Hut were introduced around the same time as McDonald's. Since then, Outback Steakhouses, TGI Fridays, KFC and "Tim's Texas BBQ" have also been introduced inside and outside Beijing (I googled). If American food is so popular, tasting it something to even boast about, how come the fascination with ONLY McDonald's has remained so strong? Do you think its relative newness is a trend that will eventually wear off?
Zach Nash
One would think since Hong Kong has a deep culinary tradition, they would localize McDonald's and make it more their "own." But according to Watson, Daniel Ng the Managing Director and charter franchise owner of McDonald's Hong Kong thinks otherwise. "If I had hired the best chef in Hong Kong to make Chinese dumplings for us, no one would come....I wouldn't have come myself." Why do you think this is so? Is their culinary tradition breaking down?
LB
How is the reception and general view of McDonald's in Hong Kong different than in Beijing? How is it similar? Do either of these mirror the American McDonald's experience?
Phillip
seeing how mcdonalds is such a huge tourist atrraction in beijing and the reason that they go there is to enjoy the experience of eating at an american restaurant. do you think that mcdonalds will lose alot of their tourist based business when the experience of enjoying american style food is not as satisfying anymore?
Ian
After reading multiple accounts of people in Beijing trying to adapt to American culture and modernity by going to McDonalds, eating there for the experience, and using the restaurant visits as special occasions, it occured to me, does McDonalds even mean the same thing to an American anymore? Does it matter/is that the point?
Alex Vrancik
How has McDonald's been instrumental in shifting power from older to younger generations in the new era of consumerism?
James
Do you feel that globalization such as the movement of McDonalds and other American products into other regions hurts cultures across the world? How, and why?
Alex Pallottie
In America, it seems that customer-staff interactions are minimized as much as possible (ex: electronic registers, the drive-thru, etc.), whereas the Chinese prefer to foster these social interactions. Why do you think that is? Further, Chinese customers (especially the children) seem to get much more out of their local McDonald's (educational programs, "Aunt McDonald", "Uncle McDonald's Adventure", etc.) than American consumers. Does it strike you as odd that foreign consumers are benefitting more from an American food chain than Americans are? Is their "Chinese version of our American McDonald's" better?
Shannon
Does consumer discipline change over time? For example, do you believe Hong-Kong's art of "hovering" and "napkin wars" will phase out as the population more tuned into the public culture replaces older generations?
Stephanie
In looking at McDonald's popularity in Beijing, it is noted that "the attraction of McDonald's is that it offers, not filling food, but a fulfilling experience." In America today, it seems as though this "fulfilling experience" is missing when one goes to a fast food restaurant. How would the overall image of fast food change if Americans experienced fast food like it exists in Beijing? Would creating a more relaxed and "social" environment, similar to that in Beijing, help take away the many negative views of of fast food in America?