Group 1: India
Names:
Directions: Read the passage below and work together as a group to
answer the following questions.
Background: In 1940, a burger restaurant was opened by Richard and
Maurice McDonald in California. From that start as a small restaurant,
McDonald’s has become one of the world's leading food service retailer in
118 countries, with more than 34,000 restaurants serving nearly 69 million
people every day. In order to cater to local tastes and culinary traditions,
and often in respect of particular laws or religious beliefs, McDonald's
offers regionalized versions of its menu among different countries.
Over 80% of citizens living in India are of the Hindu religion. Majority
of Hindus are vegetarian, meaning they do not eat meat. They worship
cows and believe that animals are not meant to be eaten out of fear of
consequences from the gods. They also see health benefits from eating
only vegetables and believe that a healthier body means they have a
healthier spirit and soul.
McDonald’s expanded immensely during the 1990’s. During this time,
they started respecting individual country’s cultures and food customs
more. They opened up in India in 1996 with restaurants that only sold
chicken and not beef or pork. They also had two kitchens: one for
vegetarian food preparation, and another that prepared chicken. Later on,
they also started opening vegetarian only McDonald’s that specialized in
specific vegetarian options not offered at other McDonald’s locations.
There are now over 250 McDonald’s across India. The addition of
these restaurants has brought western culture with eastern culture through
cultural diffusion as well as added many jobs to the Indian economy.
1. Name 3 menu items that are different from the McDonald’s in the United
States.
2. Why does your country have this menu item and the United States does
not? Explain your answer.
3. What cultural or religious difference do you see in this country? What
does McDonald’s do to respect these differences?
4. How do you think that McDonald’s was able to diffuse to your country?
5. How did technology play a part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
6. How did transportation play a part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
7. How did communication, such as what language people speak, play a
part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
8. What do you think would happen if McDonald’s did not respect a
country’s religious or cultural preferences and beliefs when they decided
on their menu?
9. In reference to the previous question, do you think people would still eat
at McDonald’s? Why or why not?
10. Name a different idea, fashion statement, language, religion, or
business that has diffused to other countries. Explain how you believe this
happened.
Group 2: Israel
Names:
Directions: Read the passage below and work together as a group to answer
the following questions.
Background: in 1940, Richard and Maurice McDonald in California opened a
burger restaurant. From that start as a small restaurant, McDonald’s has
become one of the world's leading food service retailer in 118 countries, with
more than 34,000 restaurants serving nearly 69 million people every day. In
order to cater to local tastes and culinary traditions, and often in respect of
particular laws or religious beliefs, McDonald's offers regionalized versions of
its menu among different countries.
Majority of citizens living in Israel practice the religion, Judaism.
Because of their religion, Jewish people eat only kosher prepared foods.
Kosher is food prepared to the requirement of Jewish law. According to this,
you cannot mix meat and dairy or eat meat that isn’t prepared according to
Jewish law.
Jewish people also observe a holy day each week, which is Saturday,
and is also called the Sabbath. Jewish holidays include Rosh Hashanah, Yom
Kippur, and Passover. Many Jewish people do not work on some of these days
and are instead spent worshipping and relaxing.
McDonald’s expanded immensely during the 1990’s. During this time,
they started respecting individual country’s cultures and food customs more.
Opening in 1995, McDonald’s serves kosher-only beef and other menu items
specific to Israel. This was the first kosher McDonald’s in the world. Over 80%
of McDonald’s in Israel receives their food they sell locally. There are now 131
McDonald’s across Israel. The addition of these restaurants has brought
western culture with eastern culture through cultural diffusion as well as
added many jobs to the Israeli economy.
1. Name 3 menu items that are different from the McDonald’s in the United
States.
2. Why does your country have this menu item and the United States does
not? Explain your answer.
3. What cultural or religious difference do you see in this country? What
does McDonald’s do to respect these differences?
4. How do you think that McDonald’s was able to diffuse to your country?
5. How did technology play a part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
6. How did transportation play a part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
7. How did communication, such as what language people speak, play a
part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
8. What do you think would happen if McDonald’s did not respect a
country’s religious or cultural preferences and beliefs when they decided
on their menu?
9. In reference to the previous question, do you think people would still eat
at McDonald’s? Why or why not?
10. Name a different idea, fashion statement, language, religion, or
business that has diffused to other countries. Explain how you believe this
happened.
Group 3: Singapore
Names:
Directions: Read the passage below and work together as a group to
answer the following questions.
Background: in 1940, Richard and Maurice McDonald in California opened a
burger restaurant. From that start as a small restaurant, McDonald’s has
become one of the world's leading food service retailer in 118 countries,
with more than 34,000 restaurants serving nearly 69 million people every
day. In order to cater to local tastes and culinary traditions, and often in
respect of particular laws or religious beliefs, McDonald's offers
regionalized versions of its menu among different countries.
The culture of Singapore is a melting pot of mainly Chinese, Indian,
British, and Malay cultures, and is a reflection of its immigrant history.
Singapore citizens are mostly made up of Chinese immigrants, Indian
immigrants, and immigrants from Malaysia. Because of this, the food
preference in Singapore includes spicy flavors, asian influence, and even
western flavors such as traditional hamburgers.
McDonald’s opened up in Singapore in 1979. The day it opened it
sold the highest volume of hamburgers every before sold on a single day.
Since then, it has opened up 120 restaurants on the island and helps
contribute to supplying jobs and stimulating the economy. The addition of
these restaurants has brought western culture with eastern culture through
cultural diffusion.
1. Name 3 menu items that are different from the McDonald’s in the United
States.
2. Why does your country have this menu item and the United States does
not? Explain your answer.
3. What cultural or religious difference do you see in this country? What
does McDonald’s do to respect these differences?
4. How do you think that McDonald’s was able to diffuse to your country?
5. How did technology play a part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
6. How did transportation play a part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
7. How did communication, such as what language people speak, play a
part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
8. What do you think would happen if McDonald’s did not respect a
country’s religious or cultural preferences and beliefs when they decided
on their menu?
9. In reference to the previous question, do you think people would still eat
at McDonald’s? Why or why not?
10. Name a different idea, fashion statement, language, religion, or
business that has diffused to other countries. Explain how you believe this
happened.
Group 4: Japan
Names:
Directions: Read the passage below and work together as a group to
answer the following questions.
Background: In 1940, a burger restaurant was opened by Richard and
Maurice McDonald in California. From that start as a small restaurant,
McDonald’s has become one of the world's leading food service retailer in
118 countries, with more than 34,000 restaurants serving nearly 69 million
people every day. In order to cater to local tastes and culinary traditions,
and often in respect of particular laws or religious beliefs, McDonald's
offers regionalized versions of its menu among different countries.
Japanese cuisine is surrounded around its booming fishing and
agricultural economy. They incorporate a lot of rice, seafood, and
vegetables. Green tea is also incorporated into most meals and beverages
served in Japan. They also enjoy flavors such as teriyaki and soy.
One of Japan McDonald’s specialties includes “Shaka Shaka Chicken”
which is where you get chicken and a bag of spices and are able to spice
and season your own chicken to your liking.
When McDonald’s opened up a store in Japan in 1971, they played to
Japan’s preferences and incoroporated a lot of seafood including the
Shrimp Filet. They now have the most McDonald’s in a single country
besdies the United States with over 3,000. The addition of these restaurants
has brought western culture with eastern culture through cultural diffusion as
well as added many jobs to the Japanese economy.
1. Name 3 menu items that are different from the McDonald’s in the United
States.
2. Why does your country have this menu item and the United States does
not? Explain your answer.
3. What cultural or religious difference do you see in this country? What
does McDonald’s do to respect these differences?
4. How do you think that McDonald’s was able to diffuse to your country?
5. How did technology play a part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
6. How did transportation play a part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
7. How did communication, such as what language people speak, play a
part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
8. What do you think would happen if McDonald’s did not respect a
country’s religious or cultural preferences and beliefs when they decided
on their menu?
9. In reference to the previous question, do you think people would still eat
at McDonald’s? Why or why not?
10. Name a different idea, fashion statement, language, religion, or
business that has diffused to other countries. Explain how you believe this
happened.
Group 5: Mexico
Names:
Directions: Read the passage below and work together as a group to
answer the following questions.
Background: In 1940, a burger restaurant was opened by Richard and
Maurice McDonald in California. From that start as a small restaurant,
McDonald’s has become one of the world's leading food service retailer in
118 countries, with more than 34,000 restaurants serving nearly 69 million
people every day. In order to cater to local tastes and culinary traditions,
and often in respect of particular laws or religious beliefs, McDonald's
offers regionalized versions of its menu among different countries.
One of Mexico’s most used ingredient in cooking is a tortilla. These
are used due to the culture surrounding the making of tortillas, the
availability, and the flavor preference. Mexican food is known to be spicy,
include salsas, beans, and other foods grown locally.
When McDonald’s opened up a store in Mexico in 1985, they played
to Mexico’s preferences and incoroporated a lot of spice, tomatos, cheese,
and tortillas. This has now grown to over 500 restaurants in Mexico and has
added many jobs to the Mexican economy.
1. Name 3 menu items that are different from the McDonald’s in the United
States.
2. Why does your country have this menu item and the United States does
not? Explain your answer.
3. What cultural or religious difference do you see in this country? What
does McDonald’s do to respect these differences?
4. How do you think that McDonald’s was able to diffuse to your country?
5. How did technology play a part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
6. How did transportation play a part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
7. How did communication, such as what language people speak, play a
part in the diffusion of McDonald’s?
8. What do you think would happen if McDonald’s did not respect a
country’s religious or cultural preferences and beliefs when they decided
on their menu?
9. In reference to the previous question, do you think people would still eat
at McDonald’s? Why or why not?
10. Name a different idea, fashion statement, language, religion, or
business that has diffused to other countries. Explain how you believe this
happened.