Perspective from Morocco

          Anonymous Survey Participant from Morocco           

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

   McDonald's is very popular with families and children — I remember loving going there on sundays with my family when I was younger. As I grew up, it became more of a place to grab a quick burger after spending the whole day shopping or after a night out. It's convenient, quick, and cheap, and strategically located in the main neighborhoods of my city so that it's never really hard to get there.

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

      Whenever I crave it (which is about once a month-ish). I rarely actively leave my apartment to actually GO to a McDonald's. It usually happens if I'm already around and get crazy hungry, and I usually get it to go or eat quickly inside.  

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

     No, I don't think so. 

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

As an establishment, I really like McDonald's. As I said before, it's convenient, cheap and quick (and delicious, at least back home). However, I don't really like actually staying there because 1. it's become sort of the headquarters of all the pre-teens in town, including a bunch of cat-calling pubescent boys who will stand up in front of McDonald's and hit on everyone and 2. it actually attracts a lot of beggars who will follow you on your way out and ask for your food / insult you if you don't give them anything. Which is why I prefer going through the drive-thru if I have the choice. 

5.   How does McDonald's in your home country compare to McDonald's in America (which one is perceived better and why)?     

     How does class fit into this perception of McDonald's ?

      Hands down, the food quality at McDonald's in Morocco is way better. The food actually looks like what's on the pictures, and tastes delicious (which might have to do with the fact that the meat is Halal, but I'm not positive about this). However, although I personally think it's relatively cheap, it is considered super expensive for most people in Morocco and is still a middle-upper class thing. Although it's not perceived by the upper class as such, since there are way more expensive restaurants around, it is definitely not catering to poor people. 

Due to McDonald's in Morocco adjusting to the cultural and religious tastes of the country such as using Halal meat in burgers it has helped McDonald's to become very successful. The class ties of the McDonald's in Morocco shows that the food is seen as more of a middle to middle-upper class food. Also similar to perceptions in China it is still seen as a treat and not an every day meal.