This is the McDonalds that I have grown to see.In China, a country not known for its quiet lineups or ample space, the McDonalds is seen as a public living room where one is encouraged to loiter over a drink or ice cream cone. In Russia, families congregate in the McDonalds for family gatherings as an extension of their home. Advertisements carefully promote the use of local products in the meals. In both countries, they are loved for the clean facilities, free toilets and birthday parties. Rural citizens visit them on trips into the city, often driving many hours and spending large percentages of their paycheques on these prized fast food meals.
This is what they are growing up to see.
It's scary.
I agree that the concept of McDonald's being viewed as a "premium" brand does sound some alarms, but how much of these concerns are only derived from our perception that McDonald's is inherently evil and immoral social citizens.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the article below, maybe there's hope for McDonald's still.. there should always be hope..
http://www.csrwire.com/press/press_release/27270-CSRwire-Member-Spotlight-McDonald-s-Corporation
I know that McDonalds isn't as underhanded and evil as we talk it up to be. Obviously it has always been the consumers choice to eat there or go somewhere else. What I am reacting to is primarily the lifestyle changes that the restaurant has implemented with alarming speed over the last 50 years... both here (where eating for convenience and in the car reign supreme) to developing countries, where people are encouraged to snack and loiter, and children are bribed with fast food as treats for doing homework or being 'good'.
ReplyDeleteIf you read a lot about McDonalds, you'll find that they do make an effort to reduce the amount of packaging, source local products, and provide nutrition information. Unfortunately I don't think that's the main issue here.