Blight. Crappy food wrapped in what looks like toilet paper. I don't eat at McDonald's here, and besides why would I want to eat an empty calorie meal that provides an entire week's fat content in one sitting? There are other places to choose from when you require a restroom, a coffee or quick snack. It does not have to be a "production" that is solved by using McDonalds.

neutral. But all of those who say it's a blight because you don't go to Europe to see American stuff, do you think that chains like "Pret a Manger" and "H&M" (there are many others) should not open locations in the US because European tourists would not like seeing them when they're on vacation here? That just seems like a silly reason - you don't have to eat there!

But I did eat in a McD's in London once. There was a big film opening going on at a theatre right across the street. The street was blocked off, so we went into McDs, got a drink and some ice cream, and sat at the window watching the festivities for 20 minutes. It was a nice break from walking, and a fun thing to see too!

BTW...

Just out of curiosity...do you guys feel the same way about Coca Cola that you do about McD's? I mean for example in London, what is the most popular brand of soda? And do young people in Britain and other places in Europe not drink coke products....most restaurants I go into offer beer, wine, bottled water and coca cola products or am I missing something...and if I drink coke, should I be rebuked for not drinking local?

Let's face it, we live in a multi national world and good ideas from one place do spread. I am sorry there are no Pret a Manger's in New York (at least I do not know of any) and in a way I don't understand why Wagamamma has not gone global and opened branches in the US (they would do well but I am sure there are similar operations already in NY). Easy Everything has a great idea with computer access and they have opened branches in the US (as a matter of fact they had one in Times Square last time I was there)...I wouldn't think of boycotting because it is not an American idea.

McDonald's may be junk food and there might be all sorts of reasons not to eat there but in a sense they have brought American efficiency in fast foods throughout the world much as Coca Cola brought American tastes in soda pop to the world. There have been times when wandering the streets in a German city looking for a bite to eat that I have been very thankful to see the golden arches....I just don't particularly like wursts.

Whats wrong with the McDonald's colors? They're quite tasteful.
McDonald's yellow and red color evokes memories of my very first car, a 1972 Ford Torino(351-Cleveland, V-8 engine.)
To this day, whenever I see an old car spewing out burning oil from its exhaust, I get hungry for a supersize value meal.

I do have a tough time in Paris with all those bakery people forcing me to buy pastries. There is one in Wengen, Switzerland, that is very assertive, too. The good stuff virtually runs out into the street and jumps into my pockets.

It makes walking a struggle because of the delays.

Actually, I find the pastries in much of Europe to be good. But I am an addict.
Some people drink beer; I eat pastries.
Lipitor is my helper.

As for McDonalds, the one I ate in along rue des Rennes was good. It was crowded and I saw mostly French speakers inside.

Given my energy level that morning, I was glad to find it open.

I seldom eat at fast food restaurants in my hometown, because there are so many places I like better. However, fast food restaurants become successful financially because they fill a perceived need - consistency, no surprises, economy, efficiency, and availability.

When traveling, we too often wait until we're growing faint from hunger, tired, and impatient. The Golden Arches at those times offer a welcome refuge.

It is very true that the throngs who frequent those American fast food restaurants in Europe are largely European. They go there for the same reasons we do. American fast food restaurants fill a need not met often enough in Europe.

Do all BigMacs Taste the Same? Well since i never eat them i wouldn't know, but i read that an McD's official says, no - that McD's usually tries to buy beef from that country and that 'since grass (or fodder) is different in countries, the taste can be a bit different. Anyone eat McBurgers taste a difference?

BLIGHT

BLIGHT


BLIGHT!!!!!

Sorry for not making my viewpoint too clear!

As for the European ban on "US" beef, the beef ban also applies to beef from Argentina, Canada, New Zealand and other beef producing countries that use hormones - a "thingie" that European consumers don't want in their beef.

As a consumer, I would hate to see the "standardized" and very tasteless food of the US replacing the wonderful flavorful foods of Europe. Just my HO.

Blight. I feel that way about McDonald's in the US as well.

While I don't frequent McD's in NY, I find that they offer me a comforting touchstone, something familiar when I'm in a foreign country. I must admit, I snicker and enjoy picking out tourists walking into McD's all over the world, but I always remember that my first European meal, in London, was at McDs. It's also a great meeting place for friends trying to get together, and then going off somewhere else.

PalQ
A definite bulldoze. Perhaps they attract you because they are "comfort"...like you know at home. There are lots of places with WC other than Mickey D's if thats a criteria! Branch out when you travel, have fun.

McDonald's is a nasty brand. It is not representative of good American food. To equate McDonalds, a brand, with Italian or Indian cuisine is silly. They do have convenient restrooms though so it's a good place to deposit other, fine cuisine.

Congratulations. You are all superior people. Geez. How can you make eating or not eating in a particular establishment a moral issue, or a badge of membership in a particular class of society. As I said, Geez.

Mary Fran,
No one is making a moral issue out of anything. However, with your name I want to call you Sister Mary Fran...it just seems to go with you and your post! lol

Mary Fran--actually, it is not unusual to find that eating or not eating at a particular establishment is a moral issue. Many if not most boycotts of particlar restuarants and chains have a moral basis, whether you or I agree with that basis or not. Anyway, I was under the impression that people here were making it an aesthetic and maybe political issue more so than a moral one.

<i>i find it strange that you seem more concerned with the problems of mcds in europe than you do in your own country, especially since the problems are much worse in america.</i>

We've given up hope in America.

Part of the travel experience for Americans is going to countries with many more centuries of history than our own country. So, predominant European landmarks that were exported in the last 50 years from America are more noticeable by virtue of the contrast with what we go to see in Europe.

<i>How can you make eating or not eating in a particular establishment a moral issue</i>

I don't. But I'm really surprised nobody has mentioned the health issue. When I see the golden arches I think McHeart Attack.

The ony reason to go to a McD in Europe is the clean throne and white TP. Eat somewhere else.

I'm going to agree with my dear departed Papa on this one, about fast food chain invasions like McD's. He abhored them, (and malls too for that matter) because he felt they reduce human behavior to the lowest common denominator, and destroy the local ambience of places where they rear their ugly heads. Of course lots of people go to them, they're a quick fix, but also a blight IMO, both here and there.

Actually I once kept a souvenir map of France that shows all the McDonald's locations, as a kind of joke, since that country is so well-known for it's great cuisine!

I remember when my grandparents had two children from London to stay with them.
They were bewildered by the quiet, cows and chickens.
One day they were taken to the nearest town and saw WOOLWORTHS. Their eyes lit up.
I suspect that it is the same for Americans. They are surrounded by unfamiliar scenes and people talking funny and then suddenly they see those golden arches and their eyes light up.

Traveler863: Please tell me the other places with free WCs in places like London, Paris and most big cities, i'd love to know, i'm not doubting your knowledge, i just want to branch out. And please don't tell me cafes where i'm expected to sit for minutes and order something nor those fancy pay toilet on streets that are often a cesspool mess inside - i've seen ones in Paris smeared with blood i theorize junkies use to shoot up and may miss the mark occasionally - they also cost about a buck just to pee!