Before I even begin to write this piece I will admit that when either drunk, low on funds, hungry and too lazy to cook something up, I will venture into a Mickey D's and get me a cheesburger. That being said, I have made a conscious effort not to eat there on a regular basis. When I do happen to feast under the golden arches, I make sure I punish myself, harshly (40 lashes and its all better,
now interviewing for woman with whip).
I just got in tonight from another inspiring night of work and the first article I see is one on KFC expanding by leaps and bounds in "commie" China. Now the fact that I dont think China has been close to being Socialist or Communist
for years (even if they were in the begining, is
another question for another person) is beside the point. But since most people indentify China with Communism then I will give the people the benefit of the doubt (tongue in cheek).
KFC and the Chinese, umm let's see .... I dont seem to remember many stereotypes or jokes about the Chinese eating chicken. I seem to remember, from my school days, being told that they were great at math, not well endowed, and also, whats that other stereotype??? Oh yeah eating healthfully and being very
methodical about their eating habits.
Now it's hard to actually believe that out of 1 billion people most would be mathematicians with penis envy (geebus, what an odd mix) but the healthy eating thing is documented and well known.
These are the quotes from the article that stand out for me:
"In many parts of China, the local municipal governments actually view the arrival of a KFC as a sign of the city coming of age," --Sam Su, president of Yum's (KFC) China division
Sam Su, president of Yum's China division, called China "the ultimate marketplace."
"We are really positioned as a part of the fabric of life in China," said David Novak, chairman and chief executive of Louisville-based Yum Brands Inc., parent company of KFC.
Taco Bell is testing a casual dining format in China, and Yum is even dabbling in Chinese fast-food with one test restaurant in Shanghai.
At a time when its sales in the United States are struggling, KFC is dominating even rival McDonald's in China and turning the goateed visage of Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Harland Sanders into a ubiquitous symbol of America.
Now allow me to deconstruct these quotes the same way my twisted brain did (they will put me away for sure now!!)
…and turning the goateed visage of Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Harland Sanders into
a ubiquitous symbol of America.
Along with this one:
"In many parts of China, the local municipal governments actually
view the arrival of a KFC as a sign of the city coming of age"
This tells me that Sam Su the head
KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut guy in China is saying KFC franchises and its Colonel Sanders moniker are seen by the people of China as the future or at least as an improvement of what was there before. The writer also states, in his own personal view- which I don’t think anyone would disagree with-that KFC is a symbol, or a representation of the USA.
This means, to me anyways, that people in China think that their culture (well, as far as eating goes) needs an improvement, or is somehow stuck in some backward past looking for an enlightenment. And to top it all off they look to the USA and its
fast food culture as some kind of example to emulate. I guess they don’t seem to mind the cancer rate that’s most likely due to our
horrible collective diet and lack of exercise. To me this does not make sense, but if you read the article you might have been inclined to lean in that direction.
As an aside this
article has a Dr. stating that our national fatness is threating our national security!! Brillant!!
On to the next quote:
Sam Su, president of Yum's China division, called China "the ultimate marketplace."
Well, lets see: You got a billion people who are living in what is going to be the world’s next superpower, well that’s if these people survive the
repression and
pollution and
depression, that is. They also have or are going to have the world’s biggest
thirst for oil which is always an indicator of a nation that is growing, and also
choking. So I guess that sums up a business man's morality. One billion depressed, repressed, underpaid people= jackpot!!!
That is akin to some guys standing over a drunken chick, who is almost passed out, and saying “Dude, I think she likes me, this is gonna be the easiest lay ever!!” Times a Billion of course.
Also, note to Sam Su: I’m sure some people have also called China the ultimate
prison,
labor camp, hell hole etc. But hey they have
most favored nation status so who I am to argue with the experts?
"We are really positioned as a part of the fabric of life in China," said David Novak, chairman and chief executive of Louisville-based Yum Brands Inc., parent company of KFC.
Did the Chinese
CP get the memo on that one David?
TO ALL CITIZENS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA:
WORKER SOLIDARITY IS NO LONGER THE FABRIC OF LIFE IN OUR SOCIALIST HOMELAND.
IT IS NOW FRIED CHICKEN.
YOUR COMRADE IN ARMS, AND THIGHS, AND BREASTS,
COL. SANDERS
Taco Bell is testing a casual dining format in China, and Yum is even dabbling in Chinese fast-food with one test restaurant in Shanghai
Chinese fast food. In China.
What??
I understand Chinese fast food, here. First of all we have no food culture here. Eating is an impediment to earning money. How many of us work thru lunch? I "understand" the pressure to have food right now so one can get back to work.
To have fast food in a country which takes its cuisine seriously is one thing but to Mcdonalize its own domestic food back at them is very simpsonesque.
Why would any self respecting Chinese person let their cuisine be bastardized by some yankee CEOS, in their backyard? Well I guess that shows that culture is the first casualty of "progress". I saw it in Spain firsthand with the siesta slowing dying away, although there are a growing number of people who are still hanging on to that
cherished tradition.
If the Chinese fast food idea flies than I guess that cinches it. China will be become the next superpower, full of overfed, fat and ill informed “citizens” who look the other way when their govt commits horrendous crimes around the globe, to keep them overfed, fat and ill informed.
Well I guess it should be someone else’s turn by now, no?
