American food products to other places in Asia and and to some extent have changed the food culture of these cities. Some scholars asserted that the effects of homogenization are more than about the types of objects people use or consume. For example, Benjamin Barber, a political theorist, argued that American fast food (the McDonald’s as an example) is not just about the food. It is about “fast”, and fast is an attack on how people in other cultures live. For example, in , the family members after coming home from work and school normally sit together for three hours to enjoy their family dinner. “Fast” food destroys the idea of family dinner as an occasion for family members to talk and share daily experiences. It also destroys the French idea of the cafè as a place to sit and read the newspaper. Similarly, when rural people in destinations give up their traditional clothing and wear the rugged jeans, it is not only about the type of dress they wear. It is about “rugged”, which means that people do not need to care for the gracefulness of their clothing any more. When rural people (also in ) bring in air conditioners instead of relying on natural breeze for comfort, it is not only about the use of a technology. It is about a mentality that man should use technology to master nature rather than live harmoniously with nature. When rural people begin to use fashionable products, the issue is not only about products but “fashionable”. It means that when people buy things, they will not ask whether the product is “durable” but “fashionable”. They fall into consumerism that being trendy is important.
American food products to other places in Asia and and to some extent have changed the food culture of these cities. Some scholars asserted that the effects of homogenization are more than about the types of objects people use or consume. For example, Benjamin Barber, a political theorist, argued that American fast food (the McDonald’s as an example) is not just about the food. It is about “fast”, and fast is an attack on how people in other cultures live. For example, in , the family members after coming home from work and school normally sit together for three hours to enjoy their family dinner. “Fast” food destroys the idea of family dinner as an occasion for family members to talk and share daily experiences. It also destroys the French idea of the cafè as a place to sit and read the newspaper. Similarly, when rural people in destinations give up their traditional clothing and wear the rugged jeans, it is not only about the type of dress they wear. It is about “rugged”, which means that people do not need to care for the gracefulness of their clothing any more. When rural people (also in ) bring in air conditioners instead of relying on natural breeze for comfort, it is not only about the use of a technology. It is about a mentality that man should use technology to master nature rather than live harmoniously with nature. When rural people begin to use fashionable products, the issue is not only about products but “fashionable”. It means that when people buy things, they will not ask whether the product is “durable” but “fashionable”. They fall into consumerism that being trendy is important.
Final_Trend_English_a3.docx