Since the beginning of time, France has defined the culinary arts for gourmets around the world. Indisputably its capital, Paris, today reigns as the Mecca for lovers of “haute cuisine” or “fine dining” worldwide. Be that as it may, over the past two decades a new phenomenon has taken the city of lights by storm. Names such as “McDonald’s”, “Quick”, and “KFC” have literally invaded Paris and have become staples in the daily lives of Parisians. This, however, did not come easy. Along with a tradition of culinary arts is also a culture deeply entrenched in its sense of history and place in society. As expected, this traditionalistic society has been resistant to change, particularly to the winds of “Americanization” and “Globalization.” For many French people there is an association that good food is French and fast food is American and bad, said Michel Crozier, a leading French sociologist (Greenhouse 14).
Traditionally considered an aberration by the French, and by default Parisian standards, fast food has represented, at least for Americans, the practical solution to the emerging problem of two income families and latchkey kids. This does come at a price. One example in the US is the recent legal processes that have been opened against mega fast food chain McDonald’s under allegations that their products have significantly contributed to obesity in children. McDonald’s has denied the allegations and until today has successfully dismissed the suits in court.