Theresa

If I choose to go to McD's that is fine...you dont have to be such a snot about it...I also go to nice restaurants. Why do you even care?<BR>

Leslie

Truly one of the best reasons to go into American fast food restaurants overseas is to use the clean FREE bathrooms. I don't eat in them, but I have been known to buy a beverage.<BR><BR>Also, for anyone that collects the promo toys that come with the Happy Meals, etc. -- they are different than in the US. When I was in London during the last mini Beanie Baby rush, a friend of mine bought a ton of Happy Meals (that she gave away to any passerby) because the Beanie Baby tags were different than they were in the US, and to her, a lot more valuable. I never collected them, but my friend's fascination with them made me laugh.

Tania

OK. I'll be the honest one here. I've eaten at McDo's in Paris, Athens and Verona, Italy ( for the sake of the child, of course! )<BR><BR>All taste the same as in NA.<BR><BR>The only redeeming quality about the Eyropean franchises (Paris and Athens at least) is that you can wash it down with wine or beer, LOL!

Mooo

Do you know if anyone has gotten mad cow disease from a McDonald's Hamburger overseas? Perhaps they don't use French or English cows. Just like here in the US they probably use cows from South America raised in filthy conditions and fed rubbish and chemical waste.

Joe

No has mentioned the beer! At French McDonalds beer is on the menu. Quel surprise.

karen blixen

Spider, your story made me laugh! If such a thing were to happen in America, the person who was sitting there 'first' would probably think the stranger who joined them was a nutter and would probably move! <BR><BR>it would actually be viewed as rather rude I bet...

Mom

Dear Mr. Brown (see above): Yes, going into a McDonald's is an act of desparation. My child needed some nutrition and my friend is just a picky eater. There may be other "real" food options around, but going to a McDonald's in France for me falls into the category of trying to get along with my traveling companions and not "sweating the small stuff."

clean

A few years ago I took a group of American students to Europe.They did really well eating all the local food but on the last day in Paris they literally got down on their knees and begged to go to Mcdonalds!After 2 weeks of withdrawal from fast food their reactions were varied.The majority threw the food away or didn't finish it,a few licked the inside of the Big Mac box,the rest just stood around and laughed!The biggest reactions were seeing beer on sale and no free refills!

Jill

The only difference you can buy beer.

sue

I love Buck's response. This must be a gag.

Lee

Off-color, yes, and offensive to many, no doubt, but still rather accurate, 'Vincent Vega' still did lend a somewhat amusing light to this thread.

ellen

I will admit to going almost every morning to the McDonald's around the corner from where I was staying in Rome. Not for the food but for a large orange juice. YOu can't get it anywere else for that price. I don't drink coffee but need my OJ in the morning!

Earnest

The number of people who conspicuously disdain McDonald's amazes me, given the fact that they've sold a mere hundred BILLION hamburgers. (Does anyone know how many cows that would be?) <BR><BR>E

snob

To the snobs who love to criticize anyone who even thinks of eating at a McDonalds...why do you care? Is it better to eat liver pate from a duck that has been tortured; or rodent meat like rabbit? I suppose to you snobs the answer is yes. <BR>Also, if you are to be believed, it is 100% gauche to wear jeans and sneakers in Paris. Let me tell you a secret, look around you; it is not only the AMERICANS who do so...the jeans and sneaker set speak french these days too!.

mimi taylor

As an ally of Jose Bove,<BR>, I say thumbs down!

Thepurpose

Isn't one of the great things about travel to escape the routine? To experience a different culture? Sure, I eat at McDonalds here in the US. But when I travel abroad, I want to experience what I can't experience at home. For me, I like experiencing the whole culture and not just a monument or a musuem. Eating the food is a part of exploring the culture. I love French food and I am not going to waste an opportunity to sample it.<BR>The people who are critical are not snobs - they are just wondering why leave home if you want things just the same? Why waste the money when you can just stay home?

steve

McDonalds are great places to get iced drinks and milkshakes. I can't say about the hamburgers - the last mcdonalds hamburger i ate was in Delft Holland in 1973.<BR><BR>When visiting a friend who lived in France for years, his children loved going to Paris so they could eat at McDonalds.<BR><BR>The Burger King at the Mucich Train station has great hamburgers.<BR><BR>On my first trip to Europe in 1970, hamburgers and milkshakes were non existant. My father tried to explain what a milkshake was at one restaurant. They tried their best but it was a different concoction that was barely edible

jj

I must say that I rarely eat at McD's here in the States, but after a few days in France or Italy, I look forward to an American breakfast or at least an egg McMuffin with a big orange juice. Ironically, the Egg McMuffins taste better in France as the Ham is much more heavily smoked. I love everything about French cooking except their breakfasts. This is even more true in Italy. Thank God for a MacDonalds breakfast in Europe!!!

Kathy

I am not a big fan of McDonald's while at home in the USA. But on my first trip to Europe I was very happy to find them! The first thing we ordered was American coffee. Then the hamburger and french fries were great! They may not have been as good as at home, but they were sure good at that time and that moment.

xxx

Actually the McDonalds in Paris has some interesting Mediteranean sandwiches(6 types). I found their menu a lot more interesting and European than the US menus. Go for it!