3 ms·

Sure, I bet it has nothing to do with the fact that it's quick, cheap, and addictive. Poor people must really love the elegant atmosphere of their local KFC.

TwelveNights 9y ago
The atmosphere adds a lot extra value. There's obviously cheaper food options available that are as convenient available to them too. As for addictiveness, I'd say this is where fast food shines unfortunately. That's really only because it tastes good, though.
- WalterBright 9y ago
  You can get a healthy meal at McD's: the quarter pounder sandwich, side salad, and a cup 'o water. Nobody says you gotta buy the coke, fries and shake.
  - tertius 9y ago
    Nobody sure is convincing for a lot of people.
chickenfries 9y ago
Those are for sure factors, but McDonalds just a pretty good place to hang out if you're poor, especially in the developing world. Lots of them have free wi-fi, power outlets. They're air conditioned / heated. You can basically hang out all day for next to free. Really, it has all of the amenities of somewhere like Starbucks, just at a lower price point. I'm not a fast food apologist, just saying that you're missing the perspective the gp is trying to bring.
- Aloha 9y ago
  McDonalds often seems to serve as a local community center for the retired and young, most of them I go to outside of the PNW, have 4-10 older guys sitting together for coffee in the mornings.
13of40 9y ago
Versus a man-du stand on the street with walls made of plastic sheeting and a propane heater, a KFC is pretty elegant.
gexla 9y ago
In the Philippines, the fast food restaurants have the appearance of being relatively high scale and the food is relatively expensive.
PhasmaFelis 9y ago
I'm not sure you understand what real poverty can look like. Compared to an unregulated street food stall, or a tiny, roach-infested kitchen, or nothing at all, yeah, KFC does look elegant.
Aloha 9y ago
You seem to have created this account just to comment on this thread. Fast food is quick and cheap, but barring something more substantive that empirical evidence (or one single study cited elsewhere in the comments), its probably not addictive. When you're a single mom raising one or more kids and working a full time job, drive-thru starts to sound mighty attractive, same with those poor folks who don't have a real grocery store, also for those folks in developing counties who don't really have affordable options for dining out. We all aspire to better things, but for many being able to afford to regularly eat out is a sign of 'having arrived' its also a leading cause of obesity (and it doesn't matter if its fast food or fine dining).
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
martinko 9y ago
This is a very US / Europe / Developed world view. Believe it or not, these restaurants are considered 'higher class' in many areas in the world.
- marindez 9y ago
  I guess so. I'm based in Europe and I think McDonalds restaurants are subpar, as they are always fairly dirty and usually full of scum and kids.

TwelveNights 9y ago

The atmosphere adds a lot extra value. There's obviously cheaper food options available that are as convenient available to them too. As for addictiveness, I'd say this is where fast food shines unfortunately. That's really only because it tastes good, though.

WalterBright 9y ago
You can get a healthy meal at McD's: the quarter pounder sandwich, side salad, and a cup 'o water. Nobody says you gotta buy the coke, fries and shake.
- tertius 9y ago
  Nobody sure is convincing for a lot of people.

chickenfries 9y ago

Those are for sure factors, but McDonalds just a pretty good place to hang out if you're poor, especially in the developing world. Lots of them have free wi-fi, power outlets. They're air conditioned / heated. You can basically hang out all day for next to free. Really, it has all of the amenities of somewhere like Starbucks, just at a lower price point. I'm not a fast food apologist, just saying that you're missing the perspective the gp is trying to bring.

Aloha 9y ago
McDonalds often seems to serve as a local community center for the retired and young, most of them I go to outside of the PNW, have 4-10 older guys sitting together for coffee in the mornings.

13of40 9y ago

Versus a man-du stand on the street with walls made of plastic sheeting and a propane heater, a KFC is pretty elegant.

gexla 9y ago

In the Philippines, the fast food restaurants have the appearance of being relatively high scale and the food is relatively expensive.

PhasmaFelis 9y ago

I'm not sure you understand what real poverty can look like. Compared to an unregulated street food stall, or a tiny, roach-infested kitchen, or nothing at all, yeah, KFC does look elegant.

Aloha 9y ago

You seem to have created this account just to comment on this thread. Fast food is quick and cheap, but barring something more substantive that empirical evidence (or one single study cited elsewhere in the comments), its probably not addictive. When you're a single mom raising one or more kids and working a full time job, drive-thru starts to sound mighty attractive, same with those poor folks who don't have a real grocery store, also for those folks in developing counties who don't really have affordable options for dining out. We all aspire to better things, but for many being able to afford to regularly eat out is a sign of 'having arrived' its also a leading cause of obesity (and it doesn't matter if its fast food or fine dining).

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]

martinko 9y ago

This is a very US / Europe / Developed world view. Believe it or not, these restaurants are considered 'higher class' in many areas in the world.

marindez 9y ago
I guess so. I'm based in Europe and I think McDonalds restaurants are subpar, as they are always fairly dirty and usually full of scum and kids.