Programs: UA 2MM, DL 500k, SW CP, GP 1M, HH Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 3,921
Trending... trending...
Guilty.
And I challenge any American not to look for a McDonald's when nature calls, or for a little air conditioning in the summer, AND to make it out without just a peek at the menu, AND THEN to make it out without picking up just a little something - that is, if the line isn't out the door - in other lands... And they're handy for that first water bottle that will be refilled and refilled (if a grocery isn't encountered first).
I get a kick out of the protests coming out of France about the American influence via McDonald's - particularly in TripAdvisor and other tourist bureau and travel agent dominated forums... trying to maintain an image... and when you go into them, they're always packed. And the same with Starbucks. The French cafe' scene is always busy with older (40+) tourists who are willing to pay an arm and a leg for that experience, and to smoke. But McDonald's is full of young moms with kids and their retail and business-type counterparts the same age. (Familiar?) And, truly, the Starbuck'ses cannot hold the yuppies. It's not only France, of course. It's just the contrast with what they profess...
Any speculation as to the TREND?
My pet thing is to have a beer in McDonald's.
Question: Is wifi internet free in McDonald's outside the US? They're touted as good free internet cafes over in TripAdvisor, if you have a laptop, but they're sure not free in the US. When I've asked the touters in Trip, they don't answer.
Question: Is wifi internet free in McDonald's outside the US? They're touted as good free internet cafes over in TripAdvisor, if you have a laptop, but they're sure not free in the US. When I've asked the touters in Trip, they don't answer.
I challenge any American travelling on his or her own dime to spend a week in Moscow and not set foot in a McDonalds. It's not going to happen.
As mentioned by someone earlier, somebody has also franchised the Sbarro pizza chain in Russia. They were running a 29 ruble (about 90 cents) special on cheese pizza last week, which is quite cheap for recognizable food in Moscow. Again, you're probably going to stop in.
Well I went to Moscow, loved every minute of it. We did not ONCE go into a McDonald's. We ate at the Hilton and street vendors. Excellent food all over the place. The cheapest food was probably the french hot dogs with spicy mustard.
Now the Ukraine is another story. Good food was farely scarce.
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First time I went to the UK in 1989 with two girlfriends, we were all three afraid to try the British food. Had heard nothing but bad things about it. Only ate at McDonald's, KFC, etc.
Now when I go I have learned to enjoy pub food and only go to Starbucks. One of my friends in the UK didn't know Starbucks was American.
In the UK Starbucks, I found them more ecofriendly. You could use glass plates rather than paper, which isn't true of the Starbucks or other coffee shops I frequent here. However, it cost more.
I've done Burger King in Copenhagen and Hard Rock in London and Oslo. Thank goodness for them being in Olso-the food there is just awful. I never thought I'd be grateful for Hard Rock food...
I have never eaten fast food abroad. The closest I have come to eating fast food overseas has been going to Starbucks in Kuala Lumpur...it was my cousins decision to go.
To be fair I don't eat fast food when I travel domestically either. I could never do that when there are local restaurants to explore.
Trying new food is one of the best parts about travel!
Question: Is wifi internet free in McDonald's outside the US? They're touted as good free internet cafes over in TripAdvisor, if you have a laptop, but they're sure not free in the US. When I've asked the touters in Trip, they don't answer.
In France, yes.
You're right, les McDo here are always busy, and it's not just tourists that are filling them up! If I recall correctly, France is McDonald's' most profitable market outside the US.
During a recent trip to Disneyland Paris, I was actually wishing they'd had a McDonald's rather than the crappy offerings they had in the main fast-food area. Say what you like about McDonald's, but at least the prices and quality are reasonable.
Trying new food is one of the best parts about travel!
Indeed it is. But sometimes you try and try and try, and find that you simply don't care for the local cuisine. Or that the only local food you do like is very expensive. I had a very hard time in Hong Kong and Korea, and I was there for months. I ate plenty of McDs and other American fast food in both. In Thailand and Singapore, I never touched it.
I have, but I'm not American. When I'm in the US though I'll only go to fastfood places we don't have at home so Jack In The Box, Taco Bell, Wendys, Whataburger & of course Sonic (I'm sure I'll have to change that rule next year when I move there).
And Yep Free Wi-Fi for McDonalds in Australia and it's OK, not lightning fast does take some time to log on and has a download limit but it's great for the price!
I try with all my willpower to avoid the fast food restaurants. Half the fun of travelling for me is trying out different types of food. Why go to a new place and eat food that can be gotten at home?
But....sooner or later the siren call of fast food wins out and I splurge.
Yes, McDonalds in Paris because we were in a hurry one morning. We were also slightly curious to see how the offerings differed from what we find at McDs here in the US. There was one different thing there, some crumpet-like thing that I really didn't care for.
Programs: UA 2MM, DL 500k, SW CP, GP 1M, HH Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 3,921
Free Wifi?
We have it that it's free in Mickey D's in France, Japan and the UK. Do you know in what other countries it might be free? And Starbuck's never claims that it's free there, correct? Thank you.
In London for daughter's 18th birthday. Had used miles and hotel points for the majority of our "expenses" and as husband was gold at Marriott, we had access to the lounge with breakfast, snacks, etc. Since we wanted to use our spending $$$ on shows and touring, we really watched our meal $$$. So the day I took my girls to Phantom, we found ourselves in Piccadilly Circus eating at McDonald's. Still one of my most memorable meals!
Free Wifi?
