As an international ‘travel purist,’ I have to admit I fall into that category that looks with disdain at those eating at McDonald’s when in another country.  “How could they possible travel this far and then eat at…McDonald’s?” I would think with a certain air of superiority.

Well, the joke’s on me!  Especially as a marketer/anthropologist, McDonald’s is rife with fodder for intercultural conversation.  While Beyonce may have chosen not to ‘change her brand’ to adapt to the Malaysian market, McDonald’s continues to reinvent itself to grow its business around the globe.  (I also remember readings from my anthropology classes about how McDonald’s had to adapt it’s ’service’ philosophy.  The 15 minute fast food in and out theory didn’t work in cultures where McDonald’s became a place for students to gather and study, some brining in outside food to to meet with friends…)

This fanatic article on the blog “Dark Roasted Blend,” entitled “Weird Stuff McDonald’s Sells Around the World,”  shows images and descriptions of everything from Thai Spicy Fish McDippers in Thailand to Seaweed Shaker Fries in Japan, Green Tea and Red Bean Sundaes in Hong Kong and more.

My only question, as the only carnivore in a family of vegetarian, vegan, animal rights activists, is why has there been such resistance to a veggie burger in the states?  That can’t be more controversial than McSpaghetti (spaghetti soaked in sugar, available in the Philippines), can it?

photo credit darkroastedblend.com