Cultural differences of the fast food kind oic moments. Children are heavily targeted by the fast food industry due to the positive effects it has on industry sales. The usa gave the world some of its most popular fast food recipe dishes. In a recent study, we asked 200 us and uk residents, with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, to evaluate 65 food items in terms of whether.
This is kind of food that people eat while in a hurry and include hot dogs, french fries, sandwiches, burgers and sodas among others. He also says that fast food, along with pop music and jeans, is one of americas biggest cultural exports. In places as remote as india, beijing, and germany, fastfood in the 90s was hip, modern, and american, a status symbol for many who wanted to appear knowledgeable of american culture. Fast food has made its way into american families since the 1950s. American food cultures and identify a set of research problems and questions. While fast food was largely invented in the usa it is not, in and of itself, symbolic of american culture. It has not the strong power of the classical culture, and it also is not like a star, light forever. Mintel menu insights recently published their top 10 cuisine types on restaurant menus featuring traditional american at the top of the lista 27% increase from q2 2008q2 2011. Fast food is one of the main contributors that effect american health negatively. Food studies, cultural, and personal identity gina m. Conclusions that the food quality and portion size of fast food need to be improved before it is safe to eat frequently at most fast food chains are not unusual stender et al, 2007. First, food itself is in many countries an integral aspect of the culture. Cultural cuisines reflect the geography, climate, and history of the location where the culture developed.
The cultural dimension of food executive summary 4. Within each culture and within different regions where the culture is dispersed, people may prefer certain foods, food preparation methods, and. The more i became accustomed to american food, the more i gained weight. In a new afterword for this edition, schlosser discusses the growing interest in local and organic food, the continued exploitation of poor workers by the food industry, and the need to ensure that every american has access to good, healthy, affordable food. Free american fast food influencing the world essay. But the first taco bell played a big role in the fastfood revolution, and. The fast food culture attracts peoples interest by its colorful form of attractive lines and eyecatching decorations.
Almost any other option is a better choice than fast food for your regular eating habits because of the high levels of fat, sugar, and salt found in. Conclusions that the food quality and portion size of fast food need to be improved before it is safe to eat frequently at most fastfood chains are not unusual stender et al, 2007. They enjoy the standardization of meals, the hospitable service, the democratic environment, and the cleanliness, which create a desirable space to socialize and linger. A form of fast food created in japan where bento is the japanese variety of fast food, sushi is normally cold sticky rice flavored with a sweet rice vinegar and served with some topping often fish, or, as in the most popular kind in the west, rolled in nori dried laver with filling. French fries and milk for soda in happy meals, but as the leading fast food chain in the u. The american style fast food eating culture is a representation of the american lifestyle. The aesthetics of fast food are of much less concern to me than its impact upon the lives of ordinary americans, both as workers and consumers. In the mcdonalds restaurants around the world, the menus adapt to the culture and tastes of the locals. This book describes the development of fast food culture, its contribution to the american economy and health related issues. The history of fast food in america was secured in 1951 when that years edition of the merriamwebster dictionary included the term for the first time. Therefore, people in overseas are used to having fast food. Abstract the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased dramatically in the unites states. Exploring fast food consumption behaviours and social influence submitted in full requirement for the degree of doctor of philosophy emily brindal b. How will american fast food affect japanese culture.
Too many kids are way too heavy too young and action needs to be taken to slow down the consumption of value meals. Eat in america survey provided a more detailed picture of changing meal patterns. Weve adapted a variety of delicious, healthy, easytoprepare recipes from some of the countrys most prominent chefs and cookbook writers. For those unfamiliar with american food, here are some of my favorite dishes. Food is viewed as a form of art, so italians also do not eat quickly or on the run, as many. Free essays on fast food and the american way of life. As pollan mentions, america is a melting pot of many different cultures, each one bringing their own culinary traditions. Of course this doesnt apply to every person, but as a whole, there is a growing trend of fast food consumption when there is less time to cook.
The great herds of beef raised on the great american plains led to the invention of the hamburger in the usa. Very good could you please, share your opinion about the fast food restaurants. We do not know what actually happens, but based on approximations, homemakers do not think. Exploring fast food consumption behaviours and social influence. Out of curiosity, though, i do sometimes wonder what impact american fast food culture will have on japanese society. The average american throws away 50% more food today than in 1970. Fast food outlets often provide take away or take out. Exploring fast food consumption behaviours and social.
War ii consumer culture, journal of american history vol. The hamburger, or burger, originated on the german hamburgamerika line boats. Studies found that consuming fast food as little as once a week increases the risk of dying from coronary heart disease by 20 percent. Finally, the most serious outcome of consuming fast food in your daily will be heart disease and eventually death. The american population study cardia suggests that fre. Multinational fastfood chains have now become household names, and in terms of sales and units tend to dominate national markets. In america, the busier people become, the more popular fast food seems to become. As pacing of peoples lives gets faster and faster american fast food has become more popular in different countries in recent years. As an industry fast food will continue to grow, change, and adapt to the needs of the culture around it. Fast food restaurants, although not the sole cause of the obesity crisis in the u. Aug 30, 2017 fast food saves time in todays fast paced society.
Satisfied the quality of the fast food restaurants met your expectations. United states, 25% of the population will visit a fast food restaurant, and worldwide, mcdonalds alone feeds over 46 million people a day, which is comparable to the population of spain, 2009. I agree how would you grade the service of the fast food restaurants. Expanding to international markets the fast food industry offers cultural acceptable products. Cultural comparison of fast food behaviours in a naturalistic. Back in the fifties, it was a treat to go out with the family and create an experience of ordering burgers and fries, spending a few dollars to treat the family, and take a ride to explore what the new items were on the menu.
Choi, what americans can learn from other food cultures. Bbq pork ribs, greens, blackeyed peas with bacon and sweet potato pie. The fast food culture as a kind of commodity, consumption is its motive and purpose of production. When talking about american food few people would come up with the thought about thanksgiving turkey and steak, but most people would think about american fast food.
The american fast food syndrome common dreams views. For many americans, however, both inside and outside these cities, this food culture is out of reach. Part of the problem is that most americans lack the knowledge that industrial food is a recent development in the history of agriculture. Almost any other option is a better choice than fast food for your regular eating habits because of the high levels of fat, sugar, and salt found in most items. Comparing american and french food cultures western political. Fast food is some of the most highly processed, highfat, highsugar, highsalt food on the market. The risk goes up to 50 percent if you eat fast food two to three times weekly, according to the. One company only has half of the secret recipe, and the other company has the second half. These events made me think about relationship between food, culture and obesity in the united states. Fast foods are easily cooked and served within minutes to people who lead fast paced lives. Jun 30, 2017 food cultures truly have spread to the point where you can now find mexican restaurants in northern thailand, japanese sushi in the middle east, and the all american cheeseburger served up at a street food cart in a small, remote amazonian city. Consumption of fast food culture is the nature of relationships through market positioning. Nowadays, fast food is a type of popular food and it is often associated with american food culture.
Food away from home, fafh, fast food, time use, american time use. Almerico the university of tampa abstract this study was inspired by the authors academic travel to naples, italy to study the food habits of those who live in that region and follow the mediterranean diet. It was also in the 1950s when the history of mcdonalds became such a staple of the american diet that mere mention of golden arches became synonymous with hamburgers. It provides a standardized product focused on fast and. However, fast food culture can use one way that all the people can accept to expound the rich and depth of the social culture. As our world becomes more and more connected, food culture is no longer tied down to where it. Fast food is a significant part of contemporary culture and economy. Advertisements for prepackaged and fast foods saturate the airwaves, newspapers and magazines. For example, the influence of american companies on other countries cultural identity can be seen with regard to food, which matters on two levels. The growing prevalence of fast food restaurants reflects a fundamental shift in societal mores, moving away from traditional. Although there is doubt in the establishment of a food culture, the reality is that american cuisine is very present on the menu. A new book examines how federal government policies made it easier for minorities to open fastfood franchises than grocery stores. Pizza, burritos, burgers, and fries too much fast food can be bad for you. Fast food culture uses the simplest way to transfer the knowledge of the culture.
People can order fast food on their way to or from work, without ever leaving their car. The french are proud of having a localized cuisine, including crepes and pastries, which reflects their unique culture. Fast food has made its way into american families since the. Equating fast food and american culture automatically loads the question quite unfairly. In addition to its existing fastservice food culture, a confluence of other major changes. The following is a list of notable current and former fast food restaurant chains, as distinct from fast casual restaurants see list of casual dining restaurant chains, coffeehouses see list of coffeehouse chains, ice cream parlors see list of ice cream parlor chains, and pizzerias see list of pizza chains. While human beings have been cultivating food for more than 10,000 years, industrial agriculture, as we know it today, has only been around for about 60 years. Second, restaurants can influence the mores and habits in societies where they operate. Fast food is a type of massproduced food designed for commercial resale and with a strong priority placed on speed of service versus other relevant factors involved in culinary science. Weve adapted a variety of delicious, healthy, easytoprepare recipes from some of the countrys most prominent chefs and.
The question, what is americas food culture, produces many responses and almost always uncertainty. Traveling americans like to have a familiar place to eata place where the lingo is known and where there are reminders of home. Jun 15, 2017 a new book examines how federal government policies made it easier for minorities to open fast food franchises than grocery stores. Fast food was originally created as a commercial strategy to accommodate the larger numbers of busy commuters, travelers and wage workers who often did not have the time to sit down at a public house or diner. Although nutrition experts might be able to navigate the menus of fastfood. Fast food is also designed to come in small packaging so that people can consume it while traveling. Psych honours faculty of health sciences, the university of adelaide, south australia. The foodculture relationship in the practice, spiritual and social life. Two companies prepare kfcs original recipe chicken. Buffets abound and food outlets offer value meals, providing more food for less cost.
Food day recipes table of contents food day is a celebration, and what would a celebration, especially one about food, be without delicious food. What schlosser implies, throughout this chapter, is that fastfood companies had reached a kind of near saturation of the american market by the. Households are regarded as black boxes murcott 1986, ekstrom 1993 because each family has its own way of organizing foodrelated activities and their everyday traditions. Fast food has made its way into american families since. In beijing, chinese consumers localize fast food by linking it to being american and being modern. New york city, where i grew up, is the epitome of this culinary melting pot. Usa fast food is very heavily meat based with beef and chicken being the preferred meats.
Obesity has become a disease of epidemic proportions. Pdf lovin it a study of youth and the culture of fast food. Food cultures truly have spread to the point where you can now find mexican restaurants in northern thailand, japanese sushi in the middle east, and the allamerican cheeseburger served up at a street food cart in a small, remote amazonian city as our world becomes more and more connected, food culture is no longer tied down to where it originated from and can spread far and wide. Burger how satisfied are you with the cleanlines of the fast food restaurants. Margaret mead 1970 the changing significance of food.
A persons food preferences, like his or her personality, are formed during the first few years. The familiar burgers and fries are available in 119 countries. The tiny adobe structure behind a chainlink fence on a busy southern california street doesnt look like much today. Within each culture and within different regions where the culture is dispersed, people may prefer certain foods, food preparation methods, and food combinations for meals and snacks. The advantages and disadvantages of fast food must first look at the health impacts before any other concern because of how dangerous these meals can be over time. Schlosser writes that a meal of a hamburger and french fries from a fast food chain is the quintessential american meal. Today the landscape of urban america reflects this history.