[chowfun]

The anti-American comments from the "tipping" thread got me curious.

i.e.
Fast food, music, pop culture, tipping customs, business and management style, tv, etc.

The trend seems to be mostly dominated by America(ns). Without degrading into irrational hatred and shoutfests, why is it the way it is?

[XI_YAN]

excellent question

[Football16]

In simple economic terms it is supply and demand. While much of the demand is stimulated by shrewd marketing and media clearly there is a demand the world over for American culture - Hollywood movies and music and fashion.

Hong Kong is no exception to the influence of the marketing by global marketers many of them pumping out the value of US culture.

Look at the casual clothing in HK and the US based clothes that people of all ages in HK purchase. I am blown away that I can go into McDonalds in HK and hear US pop music.

[chowfun]

With what seems like an extensive percentage of the world "hating" on America over the past 10 years, it's intriguing to me that American culture is still the most dominant force in the world.

China is Americanizing quickly in urban centers and I don't think I've ever seen that happen on this scale in Chinese history.

[XI_YAN]

yeah but what gets me is that america must have culture beyond coke, junkfood, cigarettes, jeans, gangster rap and related clothing but none of that gets exported. Maybe it's just marketing? But why to be hip/cool/in american is best ideas are so prevalent I have NO idea and quite frankly annoys me.

[Skyhook]

Seems to work in some countries better than others, I made it a point, to visit the Mc Donald's in the Champs Elysees, Paris. It was tucked away in a basement and very much subdued by the local authorities in what the menu entailed, what music was played, the decor inside, and the style of promotional signage, which was VERY small. I'd heard that the French authorities really made Mc D's life hell, and was curious to see how it improved it. We should be so lucky lol. I think I noticed 2 McD's the whole time we were in France.

Chowfun, I assume you are of Chinese ethnicity ( US raised ), how does it make you feel, when you see China rapidly erode its own culture, in favour of the US variety ?


Do you like it? That such a new country like the USA, has managed to dilute China, a homogenius country reputed to be one of the oldest continued civilisations ?

[octarine]

Believe me, France is /full/ of McDonald's.
The best part is that you can buy beer at McDo. (Cheapest beer in Paris!)
Coming from the UK, where the Americanisation is almost complete, I'm quite saddened by the homogenisation of our towns.

[Boris]

Originally Posted by chowfun

China is Americanizing quickly in urban centers and I don't think I've ever seen that happen on this scale in Chinese history.

China is OUTSIDING not Americanizing. There are all sorts of things going on from Bread ( not exclusively US ) Japanese Food ( liked a lot whether politically correct or not ) . Milk ( until recently a very marginal commodity ), Beer ( European not US fizzy water ), Western Bistro of all types even in 2nd tier cities. French, Italian and British Fashion trends.
The list goes on and on. Like a dry sponge soaking up water after decades behind the bamboo curtain.

It just looks like American because we all see KFC, McD, Pizza and Coffee. Look a little deeper and you will see that American Culture is neither mainstream or dominant.

[chowfun]

Originally Posted by Skyhook

Seems to work in some countries better than others, I made it a point, to visit the Mc Donald's in the Champs Elysees, Paris. It was tucked away in a basement and very much subdued by the local authorities in what the menu entailed, what music was played, the decor inside, and the style of promotional signage, which was VERY small. I'd heard that the French authorities really made Mc D's life hell, and was curious to see how it improved it. We should be so lucky lol. I think I noticed 2 McD's the whole time we were in France.

Chowfun, I assume you are of Chinese ethnicity ( US raised ), how does it make you feel, when you see China rapidly erode its own culture, in favour of the US variety ?


Do you like it? That such a new country like the USA, has managed to dilute China, a homogenius country reputed to be one of the oldest continued civilisations ?

I have no strong opinions either way. My personal belief is that I don't control culture, and the "stronger" one will spread regardless of what I think.

By "stronger" I don't mean superior.

[chowfun]

Originally Posted by Boris

China is OUTSIDING not Americanizing. There are all sorts of things going on from Bread ( not exclusively US ) Japanese Food ( liked a lot whether politically correct or not ) . Milk ( until recently a very marginal commodity ), Beer ( European not US fizzy water ), Western Bistro of all types even in 2nd tier cities. French, Italian and British Fashion trends.
The list goes on and on. Like a dry sponge soaking up water after decades behind the bamboo curtain.

It just looks like American because we all see KFC, McD, Pizza and Coffee. Look a little deeper and you will see that American Culture is neither mainstream or dominant.

It's quite American to adopt multiple cultures and mix them all up.