A very good morning to you. Thanks for dropping in on the second post of the week on this Blog....and, talk about dedication, I am tapping this in the Lounge at Sao Paulo's Guaruhlos airport en route to the USA.
In a touch of whirl, so a short post....but a post nevertheless.
Cultural globalisation....good idea/bad idea?
I have just enjoyed a Grande Decaf skinny Cappuccino with an extra shot, made quite dry, and a blueberry muffin. Yes, Starbucks has arrived at Guarulhos; opened a couple of weeks ago. I also noted, on my last run through the airport in September, that Carl's Jnr burgers have also arrived. I hold my hand up and admit that I was delighted to see both chains stake a claim in Sao Paulo's main international airport (not only do I thoroughly enjoy the products, but also love the service one almost always receives in a Starbucks and love much of what I hear about the company's boss)....but then, as I sat in Starbucks, I glanced around and saw Pizza Hut, McDonald's burgers, McDonald's ice cream, McDonald's McCafe, and a host of other US chains that dominate the food and drink offerings here.
While waiting in Aracaju airport around midnight last night, there were a number of fit young guys wandering round wearing ball caps, worn backwards of course, catcher style, blue jeans, Nike trainers....you know how it goes. You know it because you have seen it in movies and, almost certainly, on the streets of your home village, town or city. I have seen it (and the US food chains) up and down the American continent, around Europe and even in the Arab world. I find it fascinating....but is it good, is it bad, or is it just a case of 'it is what it is' as my US mates say?
What the US cultural globalisation demonstrates is the amazing, ubiquitous power of the web, advertising, Hollywood, the media. That so many corners of the world not only identify what is required to 'look American', but actually identify with the styles and culture and want to be a part of them is baffling to some. In this media/communications age, there are few patches of the globe that are free from such penetration.
One might argue that if the evidence shows that this is what the people want, then it is what they should have. Not a case of right of wrong, but simple recognition of market demand, de facto realities.
On the other hand, some bemoan the smothering of alternate cultures, of national and regional traditions as they are submerged under the tsunami of US cultural globalisation.
For my part, I love my Starbucks, I ate a Carls' Jnr chicken burger when I came through the airport in September, I wear Abercrombie and Fitch etc. I love that I am afforded the option to indulge these choices and to have the freedom to make them. Yet, at the same time, I adore cultural diversity and believe that it is beneficial to have people bringing different skills, traits, identities and understanding to the party of being. I tend to the camp that celebrates diversity and difference and believes that it enhances and enriches humanity. That said, in this age one cannot easily prohibit access to the web, to media and entertainment sources. Rather than seeking to take such draconian action, perhaps we should focus on ensuring the attraction of alternative cultures; to cause youths to wish to identify with being Welsh or Brazilian etc. Living in the real world, I get the sense that we also have to work on accommodation rather than exclusion. It does seem that sections of society will take on aspects of the US cultural globalisation and, rather than risk forcing those people away, perhaps countries, regions and traditions need to examine a degree of accommodation.
Well, only thoughts, no answers.....but this is more than a little rushed, as my presence is needed at the departure gate.
Thanks for joining me and I DO apologise for the rushed, disjointed nature of the post.
I am not sure of my itinerary during my travels, but I shall hope to pit out a post on Friday; and it would be great if you would be able to drop in and read it. Thanks for doing so this morning.
Stay safe.
Dave
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