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Cultural Homogenization

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Introduction. With Globalisation and the aid of space shrinking technologies, the globe is rapidly getting interconnected, allowing for cultures to be easily shared across spheres. Some have argued that it has paved the way for Cultural homogenization, a phenomenon that leaves everyone in the world living, thinking and acting in very similar ways (Block, n.d). For example, in the 1950s the Americans revolutionized the fast food culture and dominated the market with brands like McDonald’s who engineered the “Speedee Service System” with the aid of a standardized menu (Schlosser, 2001). Few contemporary societies can remain beyond the global reach of the fast food industry, as the regimented service model that fast food runs on, transfers …show more content…

With that in mind, we can relate the theory to the Fast Food culture that was addressed previously. One cannot argue that McDonalds is a global brand, to date McDonalds owns up to over 35,000 restaurants worldwide, spreading a culture that emphasizes efficiency, convenience, standardization, quantity over quality and predictability to over 100 countries (Sharkey and Ritzer, 2000). However, that is where the homogenization ends, and Glocalization takes over. McDonald’s outlets in various countries adopt different qualities that locals of the host country can relate …show more content…

Taking a closer look into the Malaysian fashion landscape, we can see that there are emerging western influences, particularly among the younger, not so traditional, generation. The Kebaya is a traditional blouse that is usually loose fitting and conservative so as to observe modesty, in abidance with Muslim standards. However there has been a rising trend to alter the Kebaya to be skintight so as to accentuate the curves of a lady, a largely western concept, neglected in traditional Muslim fashion landscape. Though the result of this hybridization has brought up issues that challenge the religious standards of the Muslim faith, with the lack of modesty in dressing, it does still prove that the theory of cultural hybridization exists even in the strictest of cultures. Through these examples, we can observe how even the world of fashion has exemplified signs of Cultural Hybridization on a global

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368 Words | 2 Pages

In Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, the argument being made is contrary to that of the general American population. Since many people view the fast food industry and its effect on the world as positive, the author must gain his audience’s trust through establishment of ethos. Schlosser first establishes understanding and solidarity with the reader through acknowledging the other argument. For example, he describes the experience of purchasing fast food in vast detail, following with reasoning as to how “the whole experience of buying fast food has become so routine,” (Schlosser 3) Here he subtly hints to the reader that he understands the lure of fast food and how it has all become ingrained into the minds of the general public.

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718 Words | 3 Pages

The life pursued by the average young person in America is fast paced and scheduled to the point of breaking. As time has progressed this time stretched life style has impacted the need for food that isn’t cooked at home or even at restaurants that cook with traditional methods. This coupled with the swelling number of households with either a single parent or two working parents has increased the reliance on the fast food industry and in turn increased the overweight and obesity rates in the country. In his article “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko addresses this topic and places the blame not on those partaking in these delectable dinners, but in the hands of the fast food industry and their lack of understandable labeling. Zinczenko’s argument is valid and strong due to his equal use of ethos, logos and pathos.

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1331 Words | 6 Pages

Throughout part I of Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser writes about the ins and outs of the fast food industry. From the founding fathers to the dirty little secrets that fast food corporations would never want us to know, he reveals it all. As corporations look for every opportunity to cut costs and increase profits, we start to reexamine what type of behavior governs businesses in America. As the days of traditional ‘sit down restaurants’ dominating the market quickly disappeared, large corporations are making use of new machinery and money saving business strategies. The drawback to these business tactics is that the burden lies on another individual.

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905 Words | 4 Pages

If there is one thing people love, it is convenience. Despite this word seeming to pertain to the modern era, every race in every century has been in pursuit of a quicker or easier way to go about life. Looking into the present day, food service, especially takeout, has evolved into a thing of ease and convenience, through apps and technology. However, one author, Corey Mintz, in a WIRED article, delves deeper into the cons of how apps have taken over takeout in the food service, suggesting the possibility that convenience is not always the best route. Capturing readers interest through vivid imagery, Corey Mintz’s article “How Apps Commandeered the Age-Old Idea of Takeout” argues against the technological advancement using compelling moral

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1217 Words | 5 Pages

On January 17th, 2001, Eric Schlosser presented all sides of the all- American meal in an investigative novel that examines the local and global influences of the United States fast food industry. Read the section thoroughly. Then in a well- developed essay, analyze the rhetorical strategies Schlosser uses to convey his message. As American citizens we are all guaranteed the same rights regardless of race, religion, sex, etc.

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603 Words | 3 Pages

While I previously viewed the Muslim form of veiling as misogynistic and compulsory; however, Tamira Stephens describes that certain American Muslims see it as empowering (Stephens pg. 5). Furthermore, despite the common belief as veiling being particular to Muslims, Tamira Stephens also reports through her essay that even “more American” subcultures (the Amish) have a form of this practice much closer to my perception of misogyny (cite). Though Stephens’ comparison of the Amish and American Muslim veil serves as a means to subdue any negative stereotypes surrounding the Muslim practice, Stephens’ description of this Islamic practice of veiling can also serve as a testament to the positive effects of pluralism and equality in the United States.

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461 Words | 2 Pages

So what is causing so many Americans, of all social classes, to consume fast food regularly? And how did the steady monopolization of chain-restaurants over local diners come to be? This is the focus of a book entitled Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal in which the author hones in on foul untold secrets of corporate restaurant chains.

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626 Words | 3 Pages

More and more Americans are going to fast food and spending money so they don’t have to make dinner or other reasons of laziness. This says that Americans are accepting fast food as a main dish in the culture and eating it in place of regular meals in some cases. Eric Schlosser also states that America has become a “Fast Food Nation” (7), implying that society as a culture is dependent on the food that is provided to us through drive-through

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634 Words | 3 Pages

In Margaret Visser’s essay, “The Rituals of Fast Food”, she explains the reason why customers enjoy going to fast food restaurants and how it adapt to customer’s needs. Some examples of the most loyal fast-food customers are people seeking convenience, travelers, and people who are drug addicts. First, most loyal customers are people seeking convenience. The reason why fast food restaurants are convenient because longer hours of being open, the prices are good , etc. As Visser said in her essay, “Convenient, innocent simplicity is what the technology, the ruthless politics, and the elaborate organization serve to the customer” (131).

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2288 Words | 10 Pages

Introduction In the year 1993 a sociologist named George Ritzer wrote a book called The McDonaldization of Society, which wasn’t about how the deliciousness of McNuggets has revolutionized the world, but instead focused on how the methodology and rational structuring used at the McDonalds franchise functions. The concept is that traditional ways of thinking are replaced by ends/means focused goals, sense of social control and prioritization of efficiency. In the words of Ritzer McDonaldization is “the process by which the principles of the fast-food restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as the rest of the world”. The following essay discusses the origins of Ritzers’ theory of McDonaldization, elaborates on the four components proposed by him and talks about the critique ‘irrationality of rationality’.

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1936 Words | 8 Pages

Nguyen and Brown explain the importance of clothing for identity, “Clothing and other forms of style are also reported to signify ethnic and cultural identity and used to differentiate among types of

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807 Words | 4 Pages

To begin, enjoying a meal from McDonald’s is the symbol of American culture. The fast food industry was one other major forces to shape modern life in the U.S. When asked to think of a word to describe America, majority of citizens as well as immigrants would say the “fast food”. For example,in 2001 a rebel group led by Jose Bove decided to protest the restrictions on trade set by Unites States in France and as a form of protest they destroyed a symbol of United States, a local McDonald 's, which demonstrates that McDonald 's is a representation of American culture and thus eating at this establishment is seen as an American tradition as well as the most American action a tennager can perfrm.

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1009 Words | 5 Pages

Lack of understanding local customers’ shopping habit cultures. Using a suitable strategy to adapt and match the host nation’s culture is one of the most difficult challenges that many multinational enterprises have to overcome (Alphonse 2014). According to Harzing test based on Barlett & Ghosal’s foreign market entry theory (1999), while

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1242 Words | 5 Pages

Cultural globalization is often understood as the spatial diffusion of global products. At a deeper level, cultural globalization may be seen as the contested process of internationalization of values, attitudes and beliefs. The spread of cultural practices and symbols makes the world more the same, but at the same time triggers resistance. Hence, cultural globalization while uniting the world is also seen to strengthen local cultures and is a major force behind the creation of identities. Such homogenization or differentiation can be noticed in the change of cultural practices and consumption patterns over time and space.

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875 Words | 4 Pages

Fashion never remains the same and with the advancements in technology fashion has become even more wavering. Fashion is highly influenced from the social, technological and economical changes. A series of events that replace current societal patterns with the

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