Reading Response-Week #4

Part 2: page 1078, Question 1

I’m focusing mostly on the food related photos. It is easy to see from these pictures that American “culture” is fast becoming a reality in many other countries. I say “culture” because I don’t really see big names like McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Marlboro, as being culture. I see them as being a lifestyle that we have become accustomed to. These big corporations see a want and need in these countries and are capitalizing on the opportunity and they shouldn’t be faulted for that. I can’t say that these photos show anything great to share-fast, fatty foods, sugary drinks, smoking are not good, healthy things. Some people might say that the American culture is stepping on their traditional way of life-but traditions are only as strong as the person makes them. Ask someone from India, Iran, China and they will tell you that they have all of these products in their own country and sold in their own ways. The difference is that they did not have the concept of “fast food” until McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken came to their countries. It is interesting to note that the McDonalds in India do not serve the same food as they do here. These corporations have adjusted their market to fit the consumers’ needs in each country. America did not invent the cigarette. Again talking to friends from India they say they have their own brands of cigarettes, and they do not have the same restrictions, as say Marlboro-filtered cigarettes are great. In India they have a very high rate of smoking-not due to America infringing on them-but their own traditions. It should be noted too that they chew some pretty potent tobacco in India. The same goes for Coca-Cola. The drinks in India traditionally are much sweeter and tastier than coke. These corporations have done years of studies to see if the markets in these developing nations would support their products. It doesn’t always work but it has for the three focused on in these cartoons. If you look at the photos it doesn’t seem as if anyone is too bothered by these products from America. They embrace the differences. It is more of one of acceptance to something new and American. True we can be investing in more healthy aspects of our culture. I can’t say I’m proud or not. To me it’s about corporations being able to capitalize on an opportunity.