Perspective from America

             Anonymous Survey Participant from America

         1.     What have been your experiences with McDonald's in your home state?

               There were about 3 McDonalds close to my high school and I would basically always eat there with my friends. It was like our hang out spot and a place to all eat rather cheaply. 

2.     How often do you go to McDonald's when you are in your home state?

      I don't usually go to McDonalds anymore since I came to Grinnell. I usually just went during my lunch hours in high school. 

3.     Do you think there are any cultural ties to the McDonald's in your home state?

    I think the McDonalds in different neighborhoods look pretty much the same. I don't really see a difference. But McDonalds in other countries tend to look different and have a different cultural feel. For example the McDonalds in Milan has a really fancy cafe and is not really looked at as a fast food establishment. 

4.     What are your personal perceptions of McDonald's in your home state (positive or negative) and why? What do you think are the general perceptions of McDonald's from people in your home state (positive or negative) and why?

     No i have no type of perceptions of McDonalds in my home state. I don't really see a difference. I see all kinds of people there and can't make judgement calls as to who goes and who doesn't. 

5.    How does McDonald's in America compare to McDonald's in other countries (which one is perceived better and why)? How does class fit into this perception of McDonald's ?

      I mentioned this earlier but overall McDonalds in America is seen as more cheap and of a lower class establishment. I don't agree with this statement but all around several people who stereotype it as that. In other cities like Paris and Milan the food is more expensive and the establishments are nicer looking with cafes. 

     Because the food is cheap McDonalds is supposed to a lower class food establishment. But again I see all kinds of people eating at McDonalds not just lower class people. 

This experience and perception of McDonald's in America very much falls in line with the mainstream American perceptions as McDonald's being equated to lower and working class people. Since the food from McDonald's is cheaper in America than in other countries, the food in America will still be seen as cheap food which is a different experience than people from other countries.