- purchasing power: It's only much cheaper in the States in terms of PP
- food quality: Market demand, import taxes & regulation all require McDo to use more expensive ingredients, and less additives (shorter storage=more waste)
- location: Swiss McDos are often in city centers in premium locations with better interior than in other countries
- Low price sensitivity: McDo has raised prices without any major change in demand, which shows them that people don't care (enough), even if they grumble
- Competition: Little to no real competition for McDonalds, even imperfect substitutes such as a Kebab & coke often cost 12.-
The last time I was in an U.S. grocery store I said to my GF: Wow, look at this potatoes, this farmers must be really, really stupid.
According to a German proverb "The most stupid farmers have the largest potatoes - Die dümmsten Bauren haben die dicksten Kartoffeln" (Fortune favours fools)
Yes, and we don't want to be stoic robots, like you*.
While I do think that fast food is a big reason why obesity is a problem in America, I also think that there are many other reasons as well. For one thing, it is (for the most part), culturally acceptable there to not be thin. Hence, there is not much social pressure for people to lose weight in the U.S. (e.g. after having a baby). In fact, I'm a size 42/44 here and I find it a bit amusing -- if not disturbing -- that none of my Swiss doctors have ever once suggested that I need to lose weight (in fact, they told me my BMI is fine), yet a few native Swiss people have made snide remarks that they think I should lose weight. Therefore, I personally think there is a bit too much social pressure here in CH to be thin. But just because someone isn't a size 38 or less doesn't mean they're unhealthy.
* To some extent, I'm kidding here, but since the poster was so quick to stereotype Americans, I thought I'd match it with the common Swiss stereotype.
Actually, I can understand if someone eats it a few times per year. But it seems a lot of people eat it regularly (especially in America), which yeah, certainly can't be healthy. I think that Super Size Me film was great.
to be honest I can eat six " i know you dont have this in CH " Double cheese burgers to myself and I have a fast metabolism and since i live in Canada where McDonalds is Cheap it is easyer to fill me up on cheap fast food then pay expensive brand name foods at the store, and not to mention i hate generic food no name brand food...
I do think that's part of the problem in the States -- fast food is SO cheap there and it is EVERYWHERE. Hell, if I worked a full-time job and then had to rush home to feed a family of four, I'd probably be more tempted to get fast food myself. It's convenient, I guess. But again, I think it's TOO convenient (and cheap).
well for me when i was in Switzerland for my 90 days in the summer I ate McDonalds 3 times in the whole 90 days i was there, simply because it was too expensive, but you know what I was fine with that because it made me look at a healthier way of eating.
But back home in Canada since its so cheap well lemme say this this whole week i have ate at McDonalds once a day, I pick my sister up from work late at night she works night shift and we stop at McDonalds on the way home and everytime we orderd something or usually came to around 20$, But 1 of the 3 times i ate at McDonalds with my friend i was paying and i was really hungry and wanted a big size meal like i get back home to fill me up and it almost costed me 60 Franks. But it tasted so good it was worth it.
I have to admit i lol'd a little bit too, and im Canadian and i don't know if you think there is a difference between Canadians and Americans but i will be living in Wallis soon, does that count ??