When you go on vacation in foreign countries, do you tend to do familiar things or avoid them?
Posted by youremymymymylover@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 361 comments
For example, stay in an American hotel chains, eat at American restaurants and go to Starbucks, etc.
As a personal anecdote I can’t say there’s many Austrian things internationally but I do indeed prefer going to the grocery stores we have here when they exist in other countries (Aldi, for example) because I feel more familiar with that, but for hotels I like getting as authentic as possible and non-touristy.
Playful-Park4095@reddit
I try to do add much that is unique and novel as possible. Not just international travel but even regional travel.
However... some countries just suck at coffee and Starbucks is the answer. Funny thing is I never go to Starbucks at home, so it's still kind of novel. We have local places much better, IMO, than the chain stores
CommandAlternative10@reddit
Mostly avoid them, although it can be fun to see how different a 7-11 is in Denmark compared to the U.S. (One is fancy, one is not.) I’ll confess I’ve been to Starbucks overseas just for convenience, but I wasn’t seeking them out.
NoShameMallPretzels@reddit
I feel like 7-11 is a completely different company abroad! So much nicer than the ones we have here!
sadthrow104@reddit
Wonder what type of change will be needed to change that. Clientele in the regions is just different it seems
melissabluejean@reddit
I read somewhere that some 7-11s in California will start carrying Japanese snacks!!! Maybe 7-11 is realizing something here 😂
sadthrow104@reddit
That would be nice. I do its more organic than forced. Idk what people think and not all opinions/observations would be of a politically correct kind, but I think it’s a clientele issue more than anything.
We don’t have to make everything Buccee’s or Wawa’s, and I certainly do think other first world countries are just ran by these happy go lucky we want what’s best for everyone hippie type corpos, but if 7-11 here can make a huge change upward I think it’ll do a huge number on our country’s overall flawed image and reputation of how big corporations run in general.
fleetpqw24@reddit
I don’t know how far south Wawa goes, but the fact you know what one is tells me you’re at least from the East Coast, right? Lol. I had my first experience with a Wawa on Princeton University’s campus and accidentally fell in love with it. It’s now one of my favorite places to stop.
wanttothrowawaythev@reddit
I could be mistaken but I think 7-11 has been owned by a Japanese company since the early 2000s. It might be that they think the US is finally open to changing up the vibe.
pgm123@reddit
My understanding is that it was owned by a Japanese parent company (iHoldings) for a while, but operated pretty independently.
Gatodeluna@reddit
CA used to have the Japanese version of what 7-11s usually carry in Japan called Famima, in West LA & Santa Monica. I bought food in there 2-3 times a week and was crushed when they went OOB in the US.
CommandAlternative10@reddit
Denmark 7-11s are upscale urban corner stores, and U.S. 7-11s are suburban and sad. Even in affluent U.S. towns they are the same.
StuckInWarshington@reddit
Sounds like the Denmark 7-11s are more in line with the ones in Japan, which are fantastic.
JakeTheeStallion@reddit
The ones in western NY play really loud opera music throughout the night to keep homeless people away 😂
DisgruntledGoose27@reddit
Thailand 711s were a staple for me
Darmok47@reddit
7/11 in the US is very strange. You can put one in the richest suburbs in the country and they'll still look sketchy and rundown.
Squirrel179@reddit
I walked to a Starbucks in Paris one morning because I really missed having a basic drip coffee in the morning. I was surprised at how busy it was!
Otherwise, I avoid American chains when traveling
GBreezy@reddit
It's always funny how people shit on Americans for things like coffee but I can get a Starbucks anywhere in the world and it's always busy as fuck... and no, it's not different, that's placebo
cryptoengineer@reddit
There are over 1200 Starbucks in the UK.
In Italy, 31.
schmelk1000@reddit
I was living as an au pair in Italy this summer, and one day we went to an outlet mall and lo and behold, there was a Starbucks! I asked the girls I was watching if they’ve ever had Starbucks and they said no, but that they always wanted to try it. So, I got the pleasure of taking them to Starbucks for the first time ever. It was a bit tricky though because my go-to drink is an iced caramel/vanilla latte, but of course, in Italy they didn’t have that because in Italian, “latte” is “milk”. Luckily I was able to explain to the barista in my broken Italian what I wanted and she nailed it! One of my girls loved her drink so much, she kept the cup it came in. For Christmas this year, I’m going to send her an actual Starbucks reusable cup in her favorite color. :)
cryptoengineer@reddit
I'm glad it worked out well for you. I'm not a Starbucks fan.
One thing that annoys me is the silly names for cup sizes.
Did they call one a 'venti'? That's 20 fluid ounces, a measure unknown in metric Italy.
schmelk1000@reddit
I’m not a huge Starbucks fan either! But, I love iced coffee which is basically non-existent in Italy. Caffè shakerato was as close as I could get!
But I agree, the cup sizes are stupid. I still just say small, medium or large, hahaha.
Westboundandhow@reddit
Lol same. Rezizt.
cryptoengineer@reddit
If you want a standard 8 oz cup, ask for a 'short'.
Demi (3 fl. oz)
Short (8 fl. oz)
Tall (12 fl. oz)
Grande (16 fl. oz)
Venti Hot (20 fl. oz)
Venti Cold (24 fl. oz)
Trenta Cold (31 fl. oz)
Tiny-Reading5982@reddit
When I went to London there was one on every block it seemed. This was over 20 years ago lol.
matthiasgh@reddit
Terrible coffee, I wouldn’t take a free cup of.
amboomernotkaren@reddit
I went to McDonald’s in Rome and Starbucks in Amsterdam. I just really needed a 20 oz drip coffee. Tiny coffee is nice, at 2:00 pm. Massive coffee is for mornings. If I ever lucky enough to go abroad again, I’m bringing my own coffee maker.
Baweberdo@reddit
They say... have coffee like a european...outside at a cafe with a croissant, and do people watching. Yeah, what's an espresso...1oz? How long I'm gonna people watch with that bullshit? 15 seconds? And their 'Americano' ain't right either...what...6oz? Gimme a gd 12oz coffee!
Icy_Finger_6950@reddit
600ml of coffee is insane for anyone else in the world.
hysys_whisperer@reddit
700 mL quad shot or bust, lol. I used to do the trenta size at Starbucks (890 mL) for drip coffee, but I've cut back some, lol.
amboomernotkaren@reddit
Agree. :)
sluttypidge@reddit
Normally, it's a black coffee with not nearly as much caffeine. It's more for the taste type of coffee.
justmyusername2820@reddit
I also went to McDonalds for coffee but in Florence. My husband and I stay in local hotels and eat locally but his brother, sister and family stay only at Marriotts (usually not near the city centers), seek out Starbucks, and eat at US chains. They’ll eat locally sometimes but only order familiar food like pizza throughout Rome
amboomernotkaren@reddit
We went to Florence on the same trip, there was a delightful coffee and pastry place last a few doors down. They probably thought I was nuts as I drank about 6 coffees each morning. We were just steps from the Duomo. Loved it.
sweetbaker@reddit
Starbucks in the UK doesn’t have drip coffee just readily available…or maybe I just have terrible luck. Every time I’ve done in to any location the look of “you want what?” from the poor barista and then them telling me it’ll be a five minute wait while they brew the whole pot 🫠. I’ve been living off americanos and they just don’t hit the same.
KingOfHanksHill@reddit
I think UK Starbucks isn’t good. But there’s plenty of places that make amazing cappuccinos there.
MissFabulina@reddit
US Starbucks is not good either! I do not understand why anyone wants coffee that tastes burnt (they over roast their beans so it tastes burnt - which also means that there is less caffeine in the final product! Bad results all around).
sweetbaker@reddit
I don’t like espresso drinks in general. I prefer drip/filter coffee, which for the most part, isn’t readily available in the UK. I originally thought Starbucks would have it, being an American company.
LiqdPT@reddit
Did they not have the ability to do a pour over?
sweetbaker@reddit
I didn’t ask, but that still takes longer than the barista turning around and turning on the spout for coffee.
LiqdPT@reddit
Sure. But it's also not brewing a whole pot.
Iwonatoasteroven@reddit
I did the same thing in Paris but mostly because I knew there would be WiFi there and my phone didn’t work.
Key-Mark4536@reddit
One thing I didn’t foresee for my first trip abroad (London for a week) was how difficult it would be to charge my phone in public. In hindsight it makes sense, the buildings are older and the owners probably aren’t allowed to tear the place apart for mere conveniences like power outlets in the dining room. Costa and McD’s seemed to be my best bets.
Iwonatoasteroven@reddit
One of my favorite travel accessories is an external battery to keep my phone charged.
AdSalt9219@reddit
Do not miss 7-11 in Japan. Very entertaining! A hot pot on the front counter with octopus tentacles hanging out. Their egg salad sandwiches are legendary.
ColossusOfChoads@reddit
It's pretty similar in Norway, hot dog rollers and all. But I didn't see any rundown ones. They were all clean and shiny.
Dis_engaged23@reddit
I spent a week in Hong Kong for work. A 7-11 was 2 blocks from my hotel. I finished each night with a Slurpee.
State_Of_Franklin@reddit
We don't have many 7-11's in the South but the few we have are a lot nicer than the ones I've been to out West.
D3moknight@reddit
If I do something familiar in a foreign country, it's usually to see how different the foreign country does it. Nobody makes burgers like we do in the US, for example.
BunnyButt24@reddit
Both. McDonald's or something like that is usually at at airport/convenience. Sometimes it's for fun to see if it tastes different or to try something on the menu that isn't available in the states. But that's a one-time-onlt situation and not dor the entire trio
KartFacedThaoDien@reddit
I take the attitude of Quinn. I do what I want. So if I wanna eat a Burger King at the Great Wall of China. Then that’s what I’ll do.
anewleaf1234@reddit
You can get cocktails and beers on tap at 7 11s in Taiwan.
DBDude@reddit
I’m paying to travel. Why would I go for what I have at home? Nope, I want immersion. Although I can see checking out an Aldi or whatever just for the curiosity to see what’s different.
And I miss the super cheap Aldi days when everything was punched in on a keypad.
Alternative-Law4626@reddit
I affirmatively try to do everything local and nothing American related. I try to blend into the local populace as much as possible. We (my wife and I) try to stay in Air BnB's, rather than hotels, shop at local markets, cook in, at least a bit, use local public transit, and dress as similarly as locals (within practical limits). When eating out, we're going for the local food, not the American food. We have very diverse tastes even in America so you won't find us at chain restaurants at any time.
Enough_Jellyfish5700@reddit
I mostly avoid American franchises, but I am curious how they differ. If I had the time and energy to, I would like to try the localized food that is only served in that country. I read that India doesn’t serve beef in McDonalds, well I need to try the Indian not a hamburger sandwich, for example.
I don’t have a problem with people finding comfort in American outposts while traveling. My only problem is hearing people complain about Americans visiting American stores. It’s the complaining; the limited thinking that bothers me.
I was on a cruise making an afternoon stop in Tunisia. No wal mart or McDonalds in sight. Tour guide is attempting to keep us together. I’m with a group of Germans.I’m not German, but I’m acting like. This is fine… My safe space is shopping. I buy a necklace, an inexpensive silver chain and pendant. One of my fellow travelers stands right in front of me and says that some tourists feel like they have to buy this crappy stuff they sell out here. It was so rude. I just wanted to interact with the people there. Insults really bring everyone down
WinterMedical@reddit
Depends on the length of the trip. For a really long trip (month plus) I will sometimes seek out familiar things but mostly I’m there to feel what it feels like to be there. I guess the other situation may be if there is a super busy day I wouldn’t be above popping into a KFC just to get something quick so we can keep moving.
In Austria now. Nice place you’ve got here, great people too!
samof1994@reddit
What is your opinion on Veal?
WinterMedical@reddit
I get the chicken schnitzel.
potchie626@reddit
I’m with you there. I spent two months in Manila when we got married and the one thing I jonesed for after a couple weeks was Mexican food, other than Taco Bell, which filled the void but in a not so great way.
After the first month we rented a condo and had a kitchen so made some myself and had to spend a lot to get some ingredients, like flour tortillas.
ThroughHuawai@reddit
Long business trips where you have been eating exotic dishes for weeks sometimes you just want some comfort food.
WinterMedical@reddit
I want to open a restaurant for long travelers that sells basic pasta and chicken and maybe pbjs for the kids.
Key-Mark4536@reddit
Especially for longer trips and those with multiple destinations, I think it’s important to incorporate some mental downtime. I’ve caught some flak in the past for sharing pictures where I spent a Sunday at the library in Copenhagen, but (1) they have a very nice library, and (2) it’s surprisingly easy to burn out on sightseeing.
WinterMedical@reddit
Yes! The library in Oslo is magic. You can lose the magic by trying to get all of the things in. I love getting the vibe of a place. You see it at Disney a lot. Parents intent on getting all their “happy” with miserable and exhausted kids.
Specific-Jury4270@reddit
No I tend to avoid them bc i'm not there to experience what that country thinks of the United States. I'm there to experience and learn about that country and enjoy a different culture.
dingodile_user@reddit
I’ve been to some places where the only restaurant open late or the only place with free public bathrooms is McDonalds, in which case I like going there :)
mmaalex@reddit
Most people do what's familar, whether or not they admit it. Every vacation spot in the US has an Applebee's & McDonald's that are packed.
Lots of people do try to experience the local culture too, that can be hard however because tourist areas tend to have activities and foods aimed at tourists that may not be authentic.
Chance-Schedule-1924@reddit
Definitely avoid. I didn't come all the way there just to speak English and eat American food
BunnyHugger99@reddit
If i feel like the familiar things have been localized (like mcdonalds) I would seek it out. If not and exactly the same I wouldn't
samandtham@reddit
It depends on what American thing we're talking about.
When I visit Europe, I look for US hotel chains first, as they would typically have AC.
As for food, I tend to seek out non-local fare after a week. Back in the US, I eat a variety of cuisines on a daily basis anyway; nothing changes when I'm traveling.
NamingandEatingPets@reddit
Avoid them with few exceptions. I was appalled that Paris is full of “Five Guys” American burger joints. Just why?
Steamsagoodham@reddit
Because it’s good and people in Paris might want to eat there too?
NamingandEatingPets@reddit
It’s not good for starters. It’s imported trash like McDonald’s. Why would you go to Paris and eat at McDonald’s?
Superiority_Complex_@reddit
Well, the big American brands in European cities generally aren’t there just for Americans. I’m guessing the French want a fast food style American burger, even if it isn’t particularly great. Panda Express isn’t a thing because of Chinese tourists, same with Chipotle and Mexico, Olive Garden and Italians, and so on. They’re all primarily there to serve local demand, even if the food ain’t great.
NamingandEatingPets@reddit
Yes. But the question was if you’re an American, do you seek out American food in other countries. Fuck no. That would be like going to Italy and having dinner at the Olive Garden.
Steamsagoodham@reddit
Well that’s just your opinion. Obviously enough people think it’s good in Paris if they have so many locations open there. Paris isn’t centered around American tourists you know.
McDonald’s and other American restaurants in Europe also aren’t the same as the ones in the US.
youremymymymylover@reddit (OP)
Five Guys we also have here haha. Locals like it because they feel American. For us it‘s foreign food
MyUsername2459@reddit
Well for a fast food burger, they're some of the best.
They're still not as good as a homemade burger, but for something you'd get at a fast food place, that's about as good as it gets.
NamingandEatingPets@reddit
But I can eat five guys every day at home if I wanted to. Why the fuck would I eat it in Paris when I can have croissants and foie gras?
NamingandEatingPets@reddit
Yes, and I get that-but because I’m American why would I go to another country just to eat MORE American food? That’s the entire point of the question.
boulevardofdef@reddit
Because Paris isn't just a theme park for Americans looking for a classic European cultural experience, it's also a real city where people live and want a wide variety of international dining options
Fun-Advisor7120@reddit
Ya but Five Guys is mediocre. Why would the French embrace such a mid franchise?
Superiority_Complex_@reddit
I know it’s not foreign owned like Five Guys is in France, but why is Panda Express one of the most popular Chinese chains in the US? Plenty of the popular “foreign” chains in the US aren’t that good either. I’ve also seen plenty of local burger spots in Europe. Haven’t ate at a ton, but the couple I’ve had have actually been pretty good.
Also, Five Guys is one of the better true national burger chains (so remove In-n-Out, Whataburger, and the other big regional chains from that list). There are other US chains as well - I saw at least one Popeyes in Prague (which was kinda funny, as there are none in Seattle). Plus all of the other major ones you’d expect.
mistiklest@reddit
Well, the founders were born in China and Myanmar. It might not be foreign owned, but it was founded by immigrants.
OscarGrey@reddit
Because French people still like burgers? I wouldn't use the word "apalled". I think it's stupid when people without autism and/or sensory issues go out of their way to avoid local food, but "apalled" is too strong of a word.
WayGroundbreaking787@reddit
Are you appalled at French restaurants in the US then? Sometimes people just want to eat something different.
WulfTheSaxon@reddit
French restaurants in the US actually serve good food though. Five Guys is better than McD’s, but it’s still crummy fast-food burgers.
derickj2020@reddit
Hell no ! I'm out to enjoy what I can't get here !
Tiny-Reading5982@reddit
When I went to Europe I tried KFC in England because someone told us that a lot of places close on Sunday and we needed to eat. It was weird lol. Warm Pepsi and gravy as a side. I tried pizza hut in Paris and it was pretty similar. We stayed in a holiday inn in Germany and only because we were with a group. But bed and breakfast places everywhere else and a brand of hotel we don't have in the US when I stayed in London.
raindorpsonroses@reddit
I try to avoid familiar things unless I’m trying to see how different they are in a new place (like another poster mentioned 7-11). I adore going to grocery stores and trying to buy a bunch of snacks I don’t recognize to try.
Vowel_Movements_4U@reddit
I try to avoid it. Not because I have somehow y against it. I like lots of American things and think we excel at a lot but I’m not flying halfway around the world to eat/shop/ at places available here.
Hotels are different. I don’t care about hotels. I’ll stay in a Hilton, etc… US is the best at service stuff anyway usually.
But I generally go to another country to experience their stuff.
treznor70@reddit
I'll typically find one American thing just to see their take on it. Otherwise I avoid US stuff. Other than the hotels, free nights on points and status will do that.
parrotia78@reddit
Hawaii sucks. They have no pond hockey. What's the purpose of traveling anywhere that's different from where I live?
AnybodySeeMyKeys@reddit
If I travel internationally, I stay in a Hilton whenever possible. Not because I want to stay in an American hotel, but because I have Hilton Honors hotel points on my AMEX. I can't tell you how many free nights we've enjoyed on trips that way.
Everything else? I like to try the local stuff. Although once in the south of France (Aix-en-Provence) we walked past an American-themed restaurant. So we decided to see how the French did burgers and barbecue.
And it was fantastic. The server realized we were from Alabama and told the owner, who came out immediately. This guy and I started talking about bbq rubs and sauces and everything else. Almost as if we were standing out on my patio by the grill. He gave me a couple of thoughts on sauces and I've used them since.
Both_Wasabi_3606@reddit
Same story with me.
ArsenalinAlabama3428@reddit
I normally give McDonald’s a shot in each country I visit and order something they don’t have on the US menu. That would be about it, though.
KingOfHanksHill@reddit
The KFC in China had a completely different menu than the KFC. We have here in America. But I still don’t really like KFC.
jurassicbond@reddit
When I lived in Shanghai I loved the shrimp burger at KFC and would eat it regularly
Both_Wasabi_3606@reddit
As a Hilton Diamond member, I try to stay in their properties as much as possible for the rewards and special accesses and upgrades. I have received many free nights using points in my account.
Jealous-Associate-41@reddit
As a retired Air Force, Army brat, I am a terrible tourist!
donerstude@reddit
We tend to eschew the familiar and look for something exotic
wizardyourlifeforce@reddit
I like to immerse myself in the local custom EXCEPT when it comes to hotels. I want the big chain hotels that are the same all over the world to be my base of operations.
JulesChenier@reddit
I avoid trendy american chains even in the US.
crazykutta@reddit
Absolutely avoid American companies because I can go to any of those when I get back home. I like to enjoy all the stuff that we don't find in the U.S. But, with that said, I do like checking McDonald's everywhere I go because they always have something that caters to the taste of the country they are in (I don't actually eat there in other countries but I do like to go inside and check out the menu and then walk out).
IAreAEngineer@reddit
Yikes! I haven't traveled much outside the country, but for me the highlight is trying out new cuisine, culture, etc.
Around the US, I've been a little annoyed with family vacations where they all want to eat at chain restaurants. We once drove an extra 30 minutes to eat at a chain restaurant instead of the one at the museum we were visiting.
The museum cafe had some local specialties. I would have liked to try them.
I'm not even exactly sure what I've eaten in Europe, One time I think it might have been head cheese? Delicious, but salty.
I love nature. I'd like to travel more to see different animals, plants, and of course cuisine and culture.
Mata187@reddit
When I was singled and traveled Europe, I stayed and ate at the most affordable places (not necessarily cheapest place though).
Now with a wife and two kids, I’d rather stay somewhere that is more convenient for our situation. Could be an American Branded hotel or not. As for visiting Starbucks, probably just to get the mug. We’re only in a foreign country for a short time, so I’d try the local food and avoid the McD’s or Burger King (no matter how much more delicious it is overseas compare to the US).
MTHiker59937@reddit
Love foreign drugstores, grocery stores, and local bakeries. Love to stroll through neighborhoods and small pubs and bars. I never go to American chains, Starbucks etc.
baddspellar@reddit
I avoid them. Heck, I avoid chain restaurants and coffee shops in the US too.
US convenience store chains also tend to be awful.
Hotels are complicated. I used to use Airbnb a lot, but fees have gotten to the point where they're often more expensive than hotels in the US. Since I never plan on spending much time in my Hotel, I usually select by price and location.
librarianhuddz@reddit
Avoid like the plague although if you walk by McDonald's sometimes it's fun to go in and see what's different
MortimerDongle@reddit
I mostly try to avoid American things, with a couple exceptions:
If I'm in an airport or train station and I'm tired and I want coffee, I'm probably going to the closest coffee place even if it's a Starbucks
Sometimes I'll stay at American hotel brands if I have points to spend or status. These often don't really feel American, for example I stayed at a Marriott in Osaka and I wouldn't have been able to tell it was a Marriott.
TheBimpo@reddit
I didn’t travel halfway across the world to eat what I can eat at home. I try to live as a local as much as possible.
But burgers and pizza are sort of universal world food at this point. I have definitely had a burger every time I have traveled internationally. Sometimes you just need to eat.
I do understand the curiosity of trying McDonald’s, to see what the differences are and if they have any regional specialties.
BronzedLuna@reddit
Same. I have no interest in eating at American fast food locations. Or even full serve ones like a Chili’s. I’m still kind of cranky that I ended up eating at a McDonald’s about four times when I traveled oversees with some friends over the summer. And I love going to supermarkets! Seeing different items is so interesting to me.
AnybodySeeMyKeys@reddit
I had a three week business trip on the South Island of New Zealand (Queenstown) once. I was in a hurry so I wandered into a McDonalds and ordered a burger and fries. I bet into it, felt an unfamiliar crunch, and found out they put beets in their burgers. Other than that, it tasted just like the McDonalds a half mile from our house.
Tbana@reddit
Random New Zealander here. ( Not sure how I even came across this thread) And I'm from just up the road from Queenstown actually. But anyways beet or beetroot as we would call it isn't part of normal menu at maccas. You seem to have ordered a kiwiburger as they call it. It rolls on and off menu. At local Fish and chip shops which always have burger menus as well it certainly is the norm though.
AnybodySeeMyKeys@reddit
Thanks! Good to know. And you are one lucky person to be living in that part of the world. Absolutely gorgeous place.
Wanaka, maybe? And I spent many a night enjoying that bar in Cardrona.
Tbana@reddit
Cromwell. But I live in Dunedin nowadays. Central Otago will always be home though. Plus I'm always up there enjoying the lakes and biking in summer and skiing in winter! I do know the cadrona hotel well, was there couple of months ago! Glad you enjoyed your time here! I've travelled all over the world over the years but not had the opportunity to visit the US yet so am looking forward to the trip one day!
AnybodySeeMyKeys@reddit
Awesome. I've been to New Zealand twice on shoots. Amazing place and people. Hope you get the chance to visit here!
GBreezy@reddit
The fact that Jew Zealand has a chain called Burger Wisconsin shows the ubiquity of American food culture
CupBeEmpty@reddit
Beets is not at all what I would ever suspect
AnybodySeeMyKeys@reddit
I felt ambushed, to be honest. But here's to cultural differences: https://www.foodrepublic.com/1708606/what-is-new-zealand-kiwiburger/
CupBeEmpty@reddit
I’m quite fine with a little cultural ambushing, if I wasn’t then I never would have had fried okra and I’d be all the worse for it.
ProfessionalAir445@reddit
I do unfamiliar things unless I am curious to compare.
Of course, libraries aren’t American but that’s the reason I go into public libraries in other places - to see the similarities and differences. (I’m a librarian).
I wouldn’t go for American fast food chains, but I don’t do that here either.
woodsred@reddit
Always avoid things that I can do or have at home when I'm traveling. That's half the fun for me, and it's hard to fathom otherwise. I once offended a coworker by being unable to control my look of total revulsion when she said she went to Italy and basically only ate Domino's & McDonald's. To me that is borderline criminal
johnsonjohnson83@reddit
Lol...Trader Joe's is actually owned by Aldi Nord--Aldi Süd owns American Aldi. Apparently we're also starting to get Lidl over here as well.
But to answer your question, I almost always try to go somewhere local unless the American chain has some sort of novel local difference. Like, I would rather go to an Imbiss in Berlin, but I would definitely check out a Delhi McDonald's.
schmelk1000@reddit
I usually do different things with a sprinkling of familiarity in there. Like, if I have a busy travel day, I’ll hit up a McDonalds for a quick meal instead of trying to find a restaurant.
I was in Poland for a month this summer and those guys love KFC. I brought it up in conversation with my Polish friend and asked him if he preferred mashed potatoes or coleslaw as his go to side and he had no idea what I was talking about. (Insert Surprised Pikachu face) That day I learned that Polish KFC doesn’t sell mashed potatoes, coleslaw OR biscuits. It’s just chicken, French fries and ice cream shakes. I was so disappointed.
SnowblindAlbino@reddit
Outside the US I always strive to 100% avoid American anything-- companies, products, experiences, etc. Zero interest in that actually. I go abroad to experience other cultures, not some ersatz version of our own.
InSOmnlaC@reddit
I avoid them for the most part. Once in a while when I really want a comfort food or something that I know I'll enjoy, rather than rolling the dice with local cuisine that I dont know about, I might stop at a known restaurant. But that's only like once or twice a trip.
runninganddrinking@reddit
I’ve never been to Europe, but for the first time, I’d probably stay in an American hotel chain like Marriott or Hilton. But absolutely not American food chains. I’d try local cuisine first and foremost.
Avasia1717@reddit
i try to have as authentically local experience as i can, for the most part.
but i did go to mcdonald’s so i could have a hamburger in hamburg because its too funny not to. i got a royal ts for the pulp fiction similarity.
when i visited my friend in tokyo she took me to starbucks because that’s where she goes anyway. it was also nostalgic because back when she came to the US for college we used to go to starbucks all the time.
hrdbeinggreen@reddit
Avoid American chains when traveling to other countries.
lizardmon@reddit
I think it's weird you group staying at an American hotel chain in with going to McDonald's. For the most part, I don't really think of staying at a non US chain as a a cultural experience. Besides I've got hotel points to spend.
stellalunawitchbaby@reddit
Mostly avoid (except for hotels because we have points) until the very end of the trip during which I desperately seek out something familiar.
psychocentric@reddit
I usually avoid things I'm familiar with on vacation. My family could go either way. We'll try new things, but might end up at a McDonalds if the day gets too long and I just want them fed and quiet (husband included).
DaisyDuckens@reddit
I’ve only traveled out of the country twice. I prefer to try local things. I did check out the McDonald’s menu to see if they had anything we don’t have in the USA, but they didn’t have anything interesting, so I didn’t go. I love going to grocery stores to see what food items they have.
nc45y445@reddit
Avoid, why else travel
I also don’t eat at chain restaurants in the US
ReebX1@reddit
For what it's worth, average Americans can't afford to go on vacation in foreign countries. You are asking the upper middle class to richey rich what they do, and they surely aren't going to Aldi. That's where poor people shop in the USA.
BurnAfterReading41@reddit
Trader Joe's IS Aldi. It's Aldi Nord, but still "Aldi".
Aldi Süd runs the Aldi's in the US. That said, Aldi US is ran by Aldi Süd, while Trader Joe's is operated independently iirc.
That said, Aldi here had unique brands, as well as white label brands, is affordable and comparatively high quality for the price. Whereas Trader Joe's is "cheap for what you get" it isn't "cheap", thusly the two different Aldi's cater to two different markets.
youremymymymylover@reddit (OP)
No way! Haha, interesting. Well in Austria we have Hofer, which is Aldi Süd.
Bright_Ices@reddit
Just a counterpoint. I’m in the US and have never heard anyone but the above commenter call Aldi in the US “high quality for the price.” I’ve heard people say things like, “it’s not fancy, but it sure is cheap!” Colloquially, “not fancy” means the opposite of fancy.
BurnAfterReading41@reddit
I said comparatively high quality for the price.
As in, go to Ruler Foods, Save-a-Lot or any other discount grocery chain and Aldi is going to be in that price range but likely will have better quality offerings than them
pgm123@reddit
How similar are Aldi Nord and Trader Joe's? I know they brought a previously-existing brand and there's definitely original branding left. I've never been to Aldi Nord, though.
BurnAfterReading41@reddit
It's been well over a decade since I've been in an Aldi Nord, honestly the Aldi Nord in Leipzig reminded me of Winn-Dixie in the late 90s.
More grocery store, less supermarket, focused on local products and having decent quality products for reasonable prices.
Funny enough, I think Winn-Dixie just got brought by Aldi.
So, if my memory serves me, I'd say Aldi Nord, as least the one in Leipzig, is similar enough to what we in the US see as Aldi. That said, I've found that Hofer and Lidl (I think those were the names) are more like Aldi US with most Aldi Süd outside of Germany being closer to Trader Joe's.
Again, it's been almost 20 years since I've spent time in Europe so my memory is likely faulty and things can change.
AwarenessVirtual4453@reddit
Some American amenities I want- air conditioning/heating, and laundry with a clothes dryer. However, I want to eat and drink all of the local stuff, try out local traditions and places, and generally experience the culture. We do try anything weird at McDonald's or Starbucks because it's interesting to see an American thing bent to match local preferences - it's a cool way to see what the local culture is. Other than that though, we are avoiding American things. I love going to a local grocery store and checking out what sorts of snacks they like. Since I travel with my young daughter, snacks are an absolute requirement, and I insist on them being unique.
WokestWombat@reddit
AC isn’t necessarily American, plenty of other countries use it. In Australia for example, the vast majority of the population uses AC.
AwarenessVirtual4453@reddit
Not even every US state has AC as a standard. I use "American" as a stand in for "home".
Open_Philosophy_7221@reddit
That can't be correct. AC is pretty ubiquitous.
AwarenessVirtual4453@reddit
Hawaii says otherwise.
Open_Philosophy_7221@reddit
Huh.
ColossusOfChoads@reddit
They're tropical, but the trade winds keep it mellow. Although if you live in the bottom of a gorge or something, it can get to you.
MacaroonSad8860@reddit
Avoid them! Although the longer I’ve lived abroad the more I seek out the occasional familiar comfort. American chains are just so awful though, and they’re usually worse abroad (Starbucks especially! the food is so bad!). My biggest comfort is the occasional McD’s breakfast sandwich.
Low-Session-8525@reddit
Mostly try to keeping different but almost always end up at a McDonald’s at some point out of convenience. Even that is different for me because I never go there in the states. My non-American husband also insists we go to the McDonald’s in his home country because he likes the regional options we can’t get in the US. Haha
rogun64@reddit
It depends. I prefer to get the entire foreign experience, but there are some countries where I can't stand the food, for example, and so I seek out American chains.
docmoonlight@reddit
Hotels are whatever - just a place to sleep. We will usually just try to find the best deal or the one where we have points we can use. Same as airlines - just a means to an end. But other than that, I would pretty much never even think of visiting an American chain. But then, I don’t typically visit a lot of big chains even in the US, so why would I do it in another country? But, I do sometimes find it interesting visiting that country’s chains, like Wetherspoons in the UK or Oxxo in Mexico.
literarygirl2090@reddit
I like to try McDonalds everywhere at least once since they always have better food than McDonald's in the US but otherwise, I try to do new things especially to try new foods and experience the local culture.
Tall-Pudding2476@reddit
Mostly avoid, but sometimes your schedule is so packed, you need that McDonalds to avoid being forced to skip meals. With hotels you have to balance cost vs location. Ideally, you would want to be in walking or within high frequency city public transportation range, but your budget may not always allow it. Failing that, better to have a familiar hotel chain than some shady inner city hotel.
Ok_Stop7366@reddit
Everytime I go to a new country, I go to McDonalds, or as I like to call it, The American Embassy.
I look at the menu, see what local food options there are, go take a shit, and leave.
It’s not about eating garbage food, I often don’t even order. I just like knowing American Imperialism is real, and I like to consider your country’s assimilation complete when a McDonalds shows up.
MET1@reddit
I want to see what it's like to live in the city I visit - public transit, checking out local shopping malls, not just seeing the tourist areas.
Eeendamean@reddit
My husband and I try to stay in Air BnBs, etc. as much as possible rather than hotels and make a point to visit grocery stores, farmer's markets, etc. We have gone to American chain restaurants a few times but that was to get menu items that aren't available in the US.
Jessica_Iowa@reddit
Little of A & B.
I like having familiar things as needed for comfort but also like having new experiences!
OpeningChipmunk1700@reddit
Avoid them 100%.
Consistent-Fig7484@reddit
I once ate at an Outback Steakhouse in Seoul after a month traveling in Asia. It was probably the only time I remember craving something boring and familiar. I’m still ashamed of myself for it!
dumbandconcerned@reddit
I like to see them if they're notably different. For example if the McDonald's has special menu items only found in that country, or if the 7-11 has an amazing prepared foods section like Japan or Korea. But otherwise, no.
PreviousPermission45@reddit
I avoid. When I go to cheaper countries (recently - Georgia, Colombia, Mexico) I go large- I eat at the best restaurants. I went with my travel buddy, my boy David, to a Michelin star restaurant in Colombia, and we collectively spent about 50 dollars on the best food we had in years. In the states, something like this would cost 200 dollars easily, if not more. Otherwise, the food in Colombia isn’t that great, but I guess this is just my own taste. The food in the republic of Georgia is top notch, and the prices are great. Highly recommended for foodies.
Blutrumpeter@reddit
American hotel chains are nice because there's a sense of security. In a foreign country it's hard to know who to trust with where you're living, especially because the amenities in America are going to be drastically different than other places. I recently learned that it's common in many European countries to air dry clothes, for example. Everything else I really avoid it because why am I leaving the country to do the things I could already do in the country. Take this with a grain of salt though because I haven't left north/central America
_I_Like_to_Comment_@reddit
I avoid them with the exception of McDonald's. I won't seek a McDs out but if its super convenient or my food budget is getting really low and street food isn't cutting it, I like to try the most unique, regional menu item off the McDonald's menu.
DocTarr@reddit
At my weakest moments I have eaten at McDonald's. Not because I like it, but because when you're tired and there's a language barrier and you just want food you recognize it's easy.
Other than that, no.
DimensionMedium2685@reddit
Not really. There aren't many Australian things in other countries except maybe a pub advertised as Australian but I dont tend to go in them
deadplant5@reddit
I try to stay in American hotel chains in Europe because I've found European ones just don't value the same things and I always wind up disappointed
cryptoengineer@reddit
I tend to stay at familiar hotels, but intentionally go native on food nd other experiences.
Nobodys_Loss@reddit
I go all in on indigenous stuff. I didn’t travel all the way to (name said country) just to do the American thing. I want to eat local/indigenous food and drink. I will admit, I will cheat a little bit when it comes to my breakfast, but I try to minimize that. That’s just my personal take.
Known-Delay7227@reddit
I’m from the US and try not to do familiar activities. One exception comes to mind…I like to visit McDonalds in other countries to try menu items that are not available in the states
Current_Poster@reddit
New things once I'm 'settled' in the new place, but when I'm actually traveling, I like (for instance) to eat from places I know aren't going to upset my system.
On the one occasion when I was abroad for more than (say) a weekend, I sometimes went to places that reminded me of home as a way of staving off homesickness, but even there, I'd try to go somewhere doing it that was interesting in & of itself.
sgtm7@reddit
Since I haven't lived in the USA since 2007, and haven't visited there since 2016, "familiar" is probably not the right word for me. But I do frequent American chains when overseas, whenever possible.
Greedy_Disaster_3130@reddit
I always eat in airbnbs, I never stay in hotels; I only go to local restaurants; I always go to Starbucks to get one of their souvenir cups because we collect them; I don’t even go to chain restaurants here in the US
SheenPSU@reddit
Why would I go somewhere foreign to have it be like back home? I wanna do as the Roman’s do
Now, I will admit I’d probably go to a McDonalds under certain circumstances and might even proactively go if they had something wicked far out there on the menu just for the “I tried X” element but I’m not actively seeking out McD’s to eat if that makes sense
houndsoflu@reddit
Depends. Usually I want to experience the country I am visiting, so I’m not interested in American chains. And I don’t go to Starbucks here anyway. But, when I lived in Poland I did get homesick, so when they opened a TGIFridays I did go for a burger every so often.
JustGenericName@reddit
If the hotel is just a place to sleep at night, we're staying at a Holiday Inn Group hotel because we have status and I'm not spending extra money just to sleep on a different company's sheets. But if the hotel is part of an experience (like a tree house in the jungle or a castle or whatever) then of course we'll branch out.
As for Starbucks, I love coffee. But I make my drinks at home a specific way or I buy one specific drink at Starbucks. After about of week of drinking caffeine that isn't my normal choice, I will definitely seek out a Starbucks to get my fix. Sorry, but addiction is addiction and mine is in the form of a Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew. And after a week or two, damn it tastes like Heaven.
As for food? Food is not my love language at home, it's no different on vacation. I want either a cool dining experience or just something to eat right now because I've just walked 13 miles out exploring this cool new place and I need to eat right now and I don't care if that's McDonalds.
not_doing_that@reddit
Hell no, if I’m going somewhere it’s to experience that culture in whatever way I can. I’m not spending thousands of dollars to eat at goddamn Burger King in a different time zone. That’s insanity
RealKenny@reddit
We always go to McDonald’s. We just have to try whatever cool local stuff they have, usually stuff that’s much better than in the US. We were just talking about how we could go for some Gouda Bites (we had them in Madrid)
Primary_Excuse_7183@reddit
Avoid for the most part. I’ll try something i see random on an American fast food menu if they have signage outside and im like hmmm lol but i don’t seek it out. Hotel is hit or miss. It depends on where im at. That’s probably the least adventurous part of my trips maybe
SomethingClever70@reddit
Depends. If I’m in a poorer country, I prefer an American hotel. If I’m in Europe, Japan, etc, I stay where it’s comfortable and also affordable.
Regarding food, I prefer to eat as the locals do. The cuisine is part of the experience.
I once traveled with a companion who wanted to eat at McDonalds, etc because he could get a full meal for less money than at a local restaurant. It was something we argued about. This was in Paris, Switzerland, Austria, so very expensive places. He got sick of spending a lot of money on food but still being hungry.
Livvylove@reddit
Other than hotels I avoid American chains when overseas.
If_I_must@reddit
I avoid them. That's why I'm traveling.
Charlesinrichmond@reddit
No if I'm going abroad I'm going there to experience the country I'm going to. Only exception was that I went to Starbucks a fair number of times the last time I was in Paris because all the French coffee places around me were even worse. As someone who hates Starbucks that was impressive
scottwax@reddit
I want to experience new things. Otherwise I'd just stay home.
ngroot@reddit
I do similar _things_ to what I do here to see how they're done: go dancing, take public transit, etc. I don't seek out American/global brands.
Mahleimer@reddit
You like getting as authentic as possible with Hotels? Hotels are for tourists. Hilarious.
Also - trader joe's is basically Aldi Sud. Aldi (in the US) is Aldi Nord and Trader Joe's is Aldi Sud. there was some fued between the brothers based on whether or not one would allow the sale of cigarettes or some shit like that.
aldi in the US is very similar to Aldi in Germany (I live here) - knock-off brands and cheapo shit.
MonsieurRuffles@reddit
Actually, Aldi’s in the US are owned by Aldi Süd while Trader Joe’s is essentially owned by Aldi Nord (though it is separate and distinct from the Aldi’s owned by Aldi Nord).
MyUsername2459@reddit
Why would I travel halfway across the world to eat at the same restaurants I could eat at back home?
Oh, and Trader Joes and Aldi come from the same background. Trader Joes is what you'd call Aldi Nord, the American Aldi is what you'd all Aldi Sud.
https://www.tastingtable.com/910536/the-connection-between-trader-joes-and-aldi/
MonsieurRuffles@reddit
To clarify, while TJ’s was bought and is owned by an entity related to the owner of Aldi Nord, it is not the US version of Aldi Nord but a completely separate and distinct operation.
PlayingDoomOnAGPS@reddit
Well, that was a fun TIL. I had no idea that Trader Joe's was even around in 1979, let alone that it was already acquired by Aldi by then! To me, Trader Joe's was something that popped up in the 90's but that's probably just because my geographic and economic circumstances changed around then.
realmozzarella22@reddit
I will do what the locals do there. If possible, of course. Enjoy what is available at the destination.
theflyinghillbilly2@reddit
I used to love trying new things. New food especially! Local restaurants where they didn’t speak English and we had to just point at things. This led to many interesting experiences!
But now I have so many darn dietary restrictions it’s almost impossible. I can’t eat red meat or shellfish, so I have to know what’s in things. If food is even seasoned with bacon grease or beef broth, it will make me sick. It’s taken some of the fun out of traveling.
qu33nof5pad35@reddit
I mostly avoid familiar things and like to try new experiences.
mekonsrevenge@reddit
I do what I can to see what life is like there and meet locals. And definitely eat local
FrankCobretti@reddit
When traveling for pleasure, I generally stay in US chain hotels. Why? I travel for a living and have a million points. Consequently, US chain hotels are cheaper than local B&Bs. I only go to Starbucks when traveling in Asia. Sometimes, all I want a cup of coffee and reliable wifi.
MyFace_UrAss_LetsGo@reddit
I’ve yet to travel outside the country as an adult, but I’ll probably stay away from American stuff for the most part. I’m sure there could be some exceptions, though.
Stefie25@reddit
Certain things I like to be similar to being home. Like toilets which means staying at a familiar chain hotel.
sikhster@reddit
Please note: most of this comment is from the frame of me traveling as a digital nomad, not as someone on holiday, because I blend the two together.
I generally stay at hostels and get a private room. But if the city doesn't have good hostels, I'll go to American chain hotels.
With regards to food, I try to find foods that the country is known for and search for them on google maps and go there. I'm also that guy that'll order food after drinking at bars/clubs, whether that be local stand, or Grab/Uber Eats. I generally try to eat local foods for lunch and dinners. For breakfasts, I need my scrambled eggs and coffee. If the country really likes carbs, I'll seek out lebanese or turkish food to get meat, hummus, and rice as my post-workout meal. For my weekly cheat meal, I'll try to find steak, korean bbq, or pizza, whichever is best in that city.
I also try to keep myself regimented because most of the time I'm traveling, I'm working as a digital nomad so I go to the gym frequently and do my usual split. Gyms all around the world are similar and you see the same types of people in them, I don't know if that fits your definition since there's no global chain.
I'll usually go back to a spicy margarita if the country doesn't have a special liquor or I don't like the special liquor (I don't like aguardiente in Colombia, I do like malbec wines in Argentina).
With regards to restocking things I need (floss, face wash, deodorant, sunscreen, etc) I'll go to little shops/bodegas and if I cant find what I'm looking for, I'll look for a high end supermarket. There's no Target in other countries, but Target would be my 1 stop shop for everything. If there is a Costco, I'll pick up costco vodka, workout clothes, or protein powder.
Footnotegirl1@reddit
If I am in another country, I will mostly do things that are unique to that country with the exception that I will often try to eat at a fast food restaurant ONCE to try the things that are different than what that chain sells in the US or to taste the difference in what's the same (and also now because I travel with my kiddo, who is currently a tween, and we can give in and be all "Okay, yes, for once you can have something familiar.") But for hubby and I it's to try what's different.
CrastinatingJusIkeU2@reddit
When I was in Hong Kong in ‘97, we had McDonald’s for breakfast every morning for the two weeks we were there. We were visiting my cousin and she hardly ever used her kitchen and the McDonald’s was right across the street from her high rise. Otherwise, it was all sightseeing and cultural experiences. I don’t feel I missed out.
gcot802@reddit
Not at all. Why would I go somewhere far away just to do the same shit can do at home?
OscarGrey@reddit
Why is this downvoted lol? If I can get something within an hour's drive of me at home, I avoid it on vacation.
ShiraPiano@reddit
Avoid them as much as possible.
CinderRL@reddit
We try to stay away from American brands when traveling. However, we did stay in a Marriott AC brand hotel in one city during a trip to Spain this year to use points and spend a little less money.
jessper17@reddit
We tend to avoid the familiar stuff except hotels if we stay in one, because we like to use hotel points to stay at one particular chain. It’s interesting to see what US chains have in other countries but I want to eat at local places. The first time I traveled out of the US I was too scared to try the non-American food - in London of all places so we ate at fast food chains a lot - but not anymore.
NPHighview@reddit
What's the point of traveling if you're only going to do familiar things in familiar places? I love to immerse myself in the culture wherever I'm at, from 2nd class trains in northern Italy to walking through alleys in Nara, Japan, to visiting a coffee and cocoa farmer in Amazonia.
I did visit a Starbucks once in Buenos Aires, smelled the harsh, burnt coffee, and avoided it thereafter. I now know better.
litebrite93@reddit
I don’t actively avoid them because I love having something familiar when I’m abroad. It’s comforting.
nooneiknow800@reddit
I find going to an American hotel in Europe anathema to the Europe experience and I don't do Starbucks at home so wouldn't overseas
Xyzzydude@reddit
I do both. It’s good to experience the local culture but sometimes you want the comfort of the familiar
machagogo@reddit
I try my best to embrace local culture and avoid chains and familiarity even wgen travelling in the US.
Spirited_Ingenuity89@reddit
Same! Why eat some place I can eat at home? I want to eat somewhere I can’t get whenever the mood strikes.
hydraheads@reddit
I go to McDonald's in the US maybe once or twice a year. If I'm traveling internationally: I am actively going to seek out a McCrispy or Big Tasty or McIftar (or whatever other localized thing they only serve there.)
Jerentropic@reddit
My wife and I have a travel strategy; wherever we go, we identify the local alcoholic specialty, we tour a maker of that drink to learn their process, then we sample. For instance, in Scotland we visited the Glenmorangie distillery, in Ireland it was the Guinness brewery, in Mexico it was a series of tequila distilleries, in Argentina next year it will be wineries. Otherwise, we try to "do as the locals do". I absolutely do not want to go to a McDonalds away from the US; even though I know many will have regional menu items, I don't want any part of American homogenization.
I did do a Starbucks in Greece last year; but I was having a very low sugar event at the time and couldn't quickly identify another source of sugar to pop it up quickly.
Ceorl_Lounge@reddit
Went to a McDonald's in Germany so I could say I've eaten a Royale with Cheese
New-Number-7810@reddit
I lean towards doing things differently, but I won’t completely avoid everything familiar. I like to try local foods, and visit local museums, but if the hotel’s restaurant is offering a burger for dinner and I’m too tired to go to a local restaurant then I might get the burger.
cozynite@reddit
We try not to go anywhere American when we travel to other countries. I love going to local places for food, coffee, groceries, etc. That’s the fun in visiting new places.
NittanyOrange@reddit
Avoid them. I leave America when I want to avoid Americans and American things.
Otherwise, I'd just travel domestically.
Anon-John-Silver@reddit
Planning a trip to London in May and I wanted to get an authentic experience, but had to be honest with myself that I’d be very put out if I stayed somewhere that didn’t have AC. Certain American things I can’t live without.
Wespiratory@reddit
Too poor to travel extensively. I’ve only ever been to Canada and Mexico. I think I would prefer to try out other stuff if I were to travel. As long as I don’t feel unsafe in the area I’d be fine going to any restaurants that are actually popular with the locals.
DocClaw83@reddit
Nope we are trying to eat authentic as we can. That is part of the reason for going to experience the culture all parts of it.
I feel like people are missing out if that's what they do.
TerribleAttitude@reddit
I love to see what McDonald’s is like in other places at least once! Though overall I prefer to try the local version of whatever I could get at home.
No_Practice_970@reddit
I avoid everything familiar. Different stores, foods, drinks, ...everything. I want to immerse myself completely in that country and people.
kjb76@reddit
Not at all. I like to see things that are local and unique to the area. Even when traveling in the US we don’t eat at chains. Since we are such a vast country, there always seems to be some sort of special cuisine or dish that each area specializes in so we try to seek those out. And honestly, I don’t eat at most chains at home so I’m not going to at them when on vacation.
MartialBob@reddit
Depends on where I am and the language barrier. In the UK I eat very local but Japan where the spoken language is very challenging for me and the written one is a mystery I'll pop into a McDonald's out of simplicity.
Imaginary-List-4945@reddit
For the most part I avoid chains that we have in the US. That doesn't mean I won't eat pizza or a sandwich, but I won't do it at Pizza Hut or Subway, because I can do that anytime.
atomicxblue@reddit
I went to Starbucks in Thailand and it wasn't the same. The pastries were small and wrapped in plastic.
In the Virgin Islands (this past week in fact) I tried to get more local flavors, like fried chicken with chili tamarind dip. Local beer (which I read on the can was bottled in Florida buu). We also had a taxi that took us to the real parts of the island where we could see the kids walking home from school, the driver's uncle walking down the street. It was way more interesting than the tourist areas.
Learningstuff247@reddit
Avoid them unless I'm homesick
sandithepirate@reddit
I always like to keep it local when I travel and try things we don't have in the US. But, I will almost always try out a McDonalds when I'm abroad just to see how it differs. The McGyro in Greece was awesome. 🤣🤣
NJBarFly@reddit
I might go to Starbucks to grab a coffee in the morning, but overall, I try to avoid American things and immerse myself in the culture.
ActiveOldster@reddit
When my bride and I travel, we avoid anything associated with USA, like McDonalds, Starbucks, etc, like the plague!
RichardRichOSU@reddit
Would go to Starbucks in Europe, but not for coffee. Would go to get a refresher or some other cold non-coffee drink so I could get a drink with ice in it. If you carry a water bottle around, you can use that ice to put in the water bottle.
ThanosSnapsSlimJims@reddit
Avoid
_S1syphus@reddit
I haven't left the country yet but id love to travel for the unique experiences EXCEPT I would like to visit a McDonald's in any foreign country I go to for the sake of comparison
kingjaffejaffar@reddit
American hotel? Maybe. American chain food? Absolutely not unless I’m homesick and somewhere with absolutely awful food like England.
Adept_Thanks_6993@reddit
I prefer to avoid, but if a travel partner wants some mcdonalds i'm not gonna be a snob about it
Big-Profit-1612@reddit
I like to stay in fancy hotels. They can be American hotel chains. However, I always try to eat local cuisine, albeit the fancier places.
Maronita2020@reddit
I recently returned from Ireland. While in Ireland I still had my American coffee but it was NOT at American named establishment like Starbucks. Just do NOT ask for American coffee at: Páidi Ó Sé’s Pub in Ventry, County Kerry, Ireland. The food is good but the American coffee is HORRIBLE.
virtual_human@reddit
Mostly avoid them but I did eat at a McDonald's once in France (Caen I think?) and got breakfast before heading out in Newcastle. But I travel to experience new things and see new places, not the same old stuff.
DoinIt989@reddit
Avoid them. I don't even do familiar things when I travel to a different part of the US. One of the best parts of traveling is trying something new.
balthisar@reddit
It depends how long I'm there, and whether or not it's truly a "vacation." I used to travel for business a lot. A lot. Multiple weeks at a time, but sometimes multiple months, and yes, sometimes multiple years.
So, like, when in Thailand I stay at a Holiday Inn or Marriott, because these are international brands, and also points (lifetime Gold at Marriott, thank you very much). I prefer to eat local, but in, say, Pattaya, eating at any of 300 international restaurants is local – it's part of the Pattaya culture. And, damnit, if it's after work and I don't want to go out, the McDonald's right behind the Marriott won't exhaust me and they still have fried version of the fruit pies.
If I'm at a resort in Mexico, I seldom leave the resort. I'm not really "in" Mexico, so I don't worry about the stigma. If I'm in a rented condo in Manzanillo, though, then I'm buying groceries at the Comercial Mexicana, finding local bolillos (not the yucky supermarket ones), going to the local beaches, eating dinner in the palapas, lunch at any fonda, and being more local that a lot of Mexican tourists.
And then there's Canada, where everything is exactly the same plus a couple of Canadian brands that are equivalent to existing American brands. Swiss Chalet, yay, amazing cultural experience /s
BeerJunky@reddit
I tried McDonalds at the airport on the way home from Portugal recently but just to try a burger they only had there. The rest of the airport restaurants were chain crap and fast food too so it’s not like I missed out on real local food by doing it. Rest of the trip mom and pop local restaurants.
TheRauk@reddit
I always go to McDonalds and Costco if I can and have never been to one in that country before. The local variations can be wild.
Double-Bend-716@reddit
Mostly avoid them.
I stay at an American hotel chain, because I keep a part time job at one of them specifically for the employee discount.
Everything else though, I want to experience the culture of the place I’m traveling to as much as I can
GirlisNo1@reddit
I do try to stay in American hotel chains because I feel there’s more accountability and the design will be in keeping with my preferences/what I’m accustomed to. A comfortable “living” situation is necessary for an enjoyable trip.
That’s it though- when it comes to food or anything else I want the local experience.
neorealist234@reddit
I travel a good amount for work. Out of the country for 10-20 weeks a year. It totally depends on the country, but I find a pattern of places I go to for eating and lodging and tend to stay with the pattern. I usually avoid US chains except once in a long while. European counties, intend to venture out a lot more by myself. In the Middle East or pacific rim, I don’t venture out as much unless I have a person with me that knows his way around a lot. I only speak English so I tend to keep my travels relatively boring for work.
PacSan300@reddit
Generally no, as I prefer to try foods and activities that the country is known for. I didn’t travel a long distance to eat the same stuff as back home. An exception I make is if I don’t like much of the local cuisine in the country, then I go for something else (for example, Indonesian in the Netherlands over Dutch food, or Indian food in the UK over most British dishes).
Sometimes, I like to check out American chains abroad for unique local menu items. Currently I am traveling in Japan, and there are a few cool drinks at Starbucks here that are not in other countries. On past visits here, I also liked some unique items at McDonald’s here, and I have also found KFC here to be way better than its US counterpart. But otherwise, the great majority of food I have here is Japanese.
PlayingDoomOnAGPS@reddit
I will tend to seek out American food because I am not a culinary adventurer but I otherwise try to do a mix of lower key tourist stuff, the kinds of things that aren't on every single post card at every single gift shop, and as much as I can, I like to try to sample the kind of things the locals do. I had a much more interesting time at some random grocery store in Bogotá than I did at the tourist-trap of Salento, Quindío. Sadly, I'm often stuck mostly doing the latter because of the preferences of my traveling companions. Luckily, my Colombian host salvaged the Salento trip by finding me a local bar with local music and local booze to play tejo with the locals after the rest of the tourists left.
captainstormy@reddit
I avoid them. I'm not going all that way to do the stuff I could do at home.
the_quark@reddit
Right this second I’m in Australia with my girlfriend‘s family. We’re in Yarra Valley — “wine country” and we’ve all rented a big house and are staying in it. I just got finished with breakfast we made, because there’s not a restaurant immediately nearby; we’re surrounded by horse pastures.
Later today we’ll drive into a more central area and we will be going to restaurants for some meals, but if you’re traveling in a big group it can make sense to do some meals and snacks in a big group residence in the country.
WayGroundbreaking787@reddit
To see what a grocery store is like in another country. Also to buy snacks or prepared foods that are cheaper than eating out.
Peter_Murphey@reddit
No, I try to go native.
One exception is I like to try the McDonalds in other countries because they often have really different menu items from American ones that are amusing to try.
omnipresent_sailfish@reddit
I typically try to avoid American when I travel, with the exception of maybe doing an "American" hotel chain, but I prefer local boutique type places.
That said, I've hit up a Starbucks because I know they have free wifi and I need to find a local hotel at the last minute because the ferry I had booked months ago isn't running that day. I also enjoy checking out a brewery, which is a very Anglo-American thing, if the area I'm in has one mostly to check out the local version of a brewery or the local beer flavors. I'll also try the local version of a hamburger, because I like seeing what Greeks, Czechs, Koreans, etc put on and in their idea of a hamburger.
No-Profession422@reddit
I've always avoided American chains when overseas. Except for 7/11 in Japan. They have insanely good snack food.
meggerplz@reddit
I avoid those things at home always fun to go to gas stations abroad and get different candy and snacks tho
KingOfHanksHill@reddit
I try not to do things outside of the US so they can do in the US. That said, a lot of of things are different. KFC in China is completely different than KFC in America.
seatownquilt-N-plant@reddit
Aside from grocery stores I don't really go to chains here in the USA.
But I do my regular leisure activities - restaurants, specialty coffee, nice brewery or distillery, botanical gardens, parks, community festivals.
Nyxelestia@reddit
Sometimes it's fun to see how things are different in a new place, so I might visit a Starbucks or McDonalds or some other multinational chain to see those differences for myself.
But otherwise, no.
idredd@reddit
I avoid familiar commercial things, otherwise I do them. Love going dancing in other cities. I go for a run wherever I am and find it’s a nice way to see more of a city. I also swear by food tours to the degree that it’s generally the first thing I do in a new place.
Technical_Plum2239@reddit
No. I definitely try to do things that are very "local", but I don't get to travel all the time. When I travel I am doing it to immerse myself.
I am sure some people who travel constantly or travel for work stick with American hotel chains for convenience. We get reward points and when you are just traveling for business and don't even have time for enjoying the country? I get just going somewhere dependable that you are familiar and consistent with so you can sleep, eat, and work all day and be well rested.
I don't think I've ever eaten a US food chain in another country, but I honestly wish I had because I am curious to see what it's like.
sweetbaker@reddit
It’s been a fun uncanny valley eating at American fast food joints since moving to the UK. My biggest wtf is that the few times I’ve asked McDonald’s for mustard they don’t have the little packets. But mayo on eeeeeeverything.
Technical_Plum2239@reddit
Honestly I really eat rarely at our places. It's literally why I stopped myself from wasting a foreign meal on McDs. I am mostly interested because I want to know how it compares, but I don't really sample it enough to know. My kids will only eat at one place - 5 guys. I guess I could compare 5 Guys fries.
sweetbaker@reddit
5 Guys is SO expensive here, I can’t justify even trying it 😅. I am interested to find out if the milkshakes are US or UK consistency. UK milkshakes are like the inverse amounts of ice cream and milk to a US milkshake.
Technical_Plum2239@reddit
Yeah, it's pretty expensive here, but if you are stuff and out, we are willing to spend the extra. Last time I went to McDs I got a burger and actually took a picture of it. It was so thin there multiple spaces that were holes. It was so thin it was like a stained glass window with light getting through it.
OceanPoet87@reddit
I like doing different things when I travel whether domestic or international.
zanthine@reddit
I mostly avoid American chains when traveling. I mean, what’s the point of traveling if you’re going to just going to do American stuff? I will occasionally try one though just to see how McDonalds (or whatever) is different in _____. You know?
clunkclunk@reddit
I mostly travel to eat and drink tbh. Not international, but we went to the Chicago suburbs for a quick 4 day trip and spent almost all of our free time eating things we don’t regularly or authentically see in California.
Grocery stores are so fun to visit when we travel internationally, just to explore the differences in foods, packaging, etc.
As for hotels, we usually go for something based on price and location over who owns it.
Smart_Engine_3331@reddit
I've only been out of the US once, mostly because I can't afford it, but went to visit my Japanese ex-girlfriend in Japan l, we did a combination of US and Japan style stuff. I think that's the best way.
eratoast@reddit
I really try to avoid familiar things, especially chains and stuff. Once in a while I'll grab McDonald's if I'm exhausted and just need food (plus some chains are WAY different in other countries).
Gallahadion@reddit
The few times I've been abroad, I kept the familiar things to a minimum. I've been to Japan twice and had McDonald's 3 times, but 2 of those times weren't by choice. I also went to a Japan-based fast food restaurant, since they don't exist where I live. I would also sometimes go to a convenience store for lunch if I wasn't very hungry that day. The vast majority of the time, however, I ate local foods, including the second time I visited (which also included a trip to Korea).
As for accommodations, I stayed with a host family the first time, but hotels the second time (the second trip was arranged by the people in charge of the group I was traveling with, so again, no choice in the matter).
captainstyles@reddit
I'd probably just want some ice.
TinySparklyThings@reddit
I usually have a rule that I won't eat anywhere while traveling that I can eat at home. Sometimes it's fun to see how different things are, like going to McDonalds in Greece just to compare. And I do go to Starbucks because I collect their city mugs as souvenirs, but I don't drink coffee 🙃
abcrck@reddit
I travel to get the authentic experience of trying things unique to the place I'm travelling, but I also like to try American chains abroad once or twice on a trip because they're always so different from what we have in the US even though they're the same brand.
I tried McDonald's in the UK and Germany after eating dinner at a local restaurant and ordered a couple things just to have a bite or two to taste test. I think it really puts things into perspective, now I can see why McDonald's is less popular in Europe. It was almost inedible to me as someone who enjoys the occasional American McDonald's meal.
naked_nomad@reddit
I roamed the Europe and parts of South America courtesy of the US Navy in the 70s. Before I enlisted, I had never been more than 50 miles from the farm I grew up on. I sampled everything.
I actually started in Chicago. I had no idea what a submarine or meatball sandwich was. The only pizza I had ever seen came from the freezer section in the grocery store.
Philadelphia was no different. Introduced to corn fritters, Philly beef and Swiss sandwiches and Grinders. Found out I don't like corned beef and potatos there also.
Got to England and had to try Lamb Chops, fish & Chips and the like. Pizza in Naples is nothing like what we got at home. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Crepes were pancakes.
I was 17 - 21 years old and had a lot of catching up to do.
Kitchen-Lie-7894@reddit
I mostly avoid familiar places because I want to experience what the locals do, but I make occasional exceptions.
Elixabef@reddit
I definitely don’t seek out familiar things when abroad, but it sure can be nice to come across American things. There have definitely been times when I’ve been abroad and exhausted and maybe not thrilled with the local cuisine, and a McDonald’s has been a very welcome sight! (Worth noting, though, that I don’t particularly care for McDonald’s and rarely eat there when at home, but boy it can be comforting and familiar when abroad).
And sometimes Starbucks is just easy and convenient.
But I’ve never sought out an American hotel or an American restaurant when abroad.
photochic1124@reddit
I have a “no chain that we have at home” rule
cappotto-marrone@reddit
I don’t go to Starbucks in the US. McDonald’s we might look at the menu just to see differences. Food I’m going to go as local as possible.
In Cairo we were ate falafel from a little shop. Everything cooked in front of us. The rest of our tour went to a big American hotel for lunch. They all ended up with food poisoning.
GoodbyeEarl@reddit
Avoid, avoid, avoid. I don’t get to travel much, so when I do, I’m sure as hell not going to American restaurants and cafes.
ButterFace225@reddit
I get a Family discount at Hiltons, so it's cheaper that way. I plan to travel abroad in the next year, but I doubt I would go to a chain unless it had a regional specific item that is not in America. I think eating a local places and trying new food is the fun part of traveling. I can get Starbucks at home.
Perdendosi@reddit
It's fun to try foreign McDonald's once in awhile, but I generally avoid doing things, and eating at places, that I can experience at home.
Of course, if I'm on a road trip, franchise drive throughs are almost a necessity. And if I need to pick up an extra pair of underwear or a toothbrush, I'm going to target or Walmart or Walgreens rather than a local store.
Give-Me-Plants@reddit
In general no. I’m traveling to be somewhere different. I want to explore the place’s culture and food.
However, the best food I had in Reykjavik was their KFC.
ogreblood@reddit
KFC in Japan is lit
anneofgraygardens@reddit
While traveling, i like to try new things!
When I lived abroad, though, I'd look forward to food that reminded me of home. i had plenty of opportunity to try the local cuisines and after like a month or so I wanted something familiar.
zugabdu@reddit
I try to visit things I can only do in that country - sometimes though, that means visiting the local version of an American thing. American fast food restaurants in Asia, for instance, are interestingly different from their stateside equivalents.
spork_o_rama@reddit
We stay at Marriott properties when we can, because Platinum/Titanium member benefits are pretty awesome. But we do our best to eat and drink local as much as we can.
However, we just got back from 2 weeks in Japan, and it was definitely my greatest challenge in eating local. My taste runs sweet not savory, and I don't do well with sour/pickled/fermented foods that aren't balanced by a little sweetness. Sour/pickled/fermented are some of the key flavors of Japanese cooking, so after a while it was difficult to find things to eat without repeating things or retreating to Western food that I know I like. For example, I really dislike miso soup and many miso heavy dishes I've tried. And I've tried a lot of different types of miso.
I also don't like raw fish or meat (lightly seared is fine, just not cold and slimy).
My wife absolutely adores literally every Japanese food except beef, so of course she didn't want to go to any of the fancy Wagyu specialty places that I would have enjoyed.
Overall, definitely our most challenging food trip, but we still had a good time.
jstax1178@reddit
When leaving the US I avoid everything having to do with the US down to the hotel chains, I’m not fan of US brand hotels. Not to offend anyone but if I’m going outside the country I want to experience the local environment, doing things I would do at home takes away from the experience for that I’d rather just visit another state.
Because of this I tend to avoid destinations that are US like, nothing against home but I’m not traveling to see home.
luckypenguinsocks@reddit
I like to mix the familiar things in with the local stuff I'm trying. Seeing what the differences between the menus are and trying them out is fun! I don't make it the focus of my trip or even the majority, but it's nice and reassuring to know that it's there.
MattieShoes@reddit
Mostly avoid them. If I've just gotten off a 12 hour flight or something, local cuisine can wait, I just want comfort and sleep. But after that, game on.
pudding7@reddit
Mostly avoid. I like new things.
That said, I always try to get some McDonalds when I'm in a new country. It's fun to see how the menu and/or flavor is different.
moonwillow60606@reddit
I absolutely avoid the familiar and experience as much new stuff as possible. A lot of my travel has been extended trips for school or work which lets me have a lot more time in country.
I especially love going to local grocery stores when I travel.
OneWayStreetPark@reddit
Mainly just to see what the difference is between the foreign version and the American version. But I'll tell you something my uncle told me years ago. "We didn't fly all the way to Hawaii to eat Subway".
FeelTheWrath79@reddit
I just got back from Thailand with my dad, and he does this. Stays at Marriot hotels because of the points/familiarity. Goes to chain restaurants. Instead of going to new places to eat in Phuket, for example, we went to the hard rock cafe.
Vast_Reaction_249@reddit
I like to go to "American" restaurants just to see what qualifies as "American" in other places.
Other than that, the farther I am from other tourists, the better.
Sailor_NEWENGLAND@reddit
I try to avoid doing familiar things. In Ireland I stayed at a bed and breakfast and ate what the locals did
Sp4ceh0rse@reddit
Avoid as much as possible!
alloy1028@reddit
Full immersion. I do everything different and try anything new I can when I travel. The comforts of home are overrated.
idontknowdudess@reddit
I'm a Canadian (so similar), and I do tend to go for similar things food wise. Especially breakfast.
I am unfortunately very picky, so trying new foods does not bring me joy lol. If it's a simple enough food and I can know what's in it for sure, but a lot of local/authentic food tend to use vegetables or sauces I do not like.
I recently went to Italy, so luckily a lot of the foods are pretty simple ingredient wise, so I was able to try many new pasta dishes that were excellent.
PerpetuallyLurking@reddit
When I was in Italy for nearly two weeks, there was definitely one stop at a McDonald’s - partly because it was conveniently there when needed and partly because I was just a little homesick and a burger sounded perfect. I love pasta, but I’m not used to pasta for every single dinner (it was a school trip, I only had control of my lunch) and after over a week with everyone wanting to share their pasta, I just wanted one Big Mac, just one. I swear I enjoyed that night’s pasta dish all the better for it. And not as a comparison - just as a kid that missed home and got a taste of it and it let me enjoy Italy again.
I did definitely devour a few more burgers in the airports on the way home…lol
flareon141@reddit
Coffee and breakfast are before my mind is functioning. I dont count those. Besides, a form of bread plus caffeine is common in many places. India?Naan and tea.
crown-jewel@reddit
Same here re: food.
For hotels, I don’t stay in American chains but those are also usually out of my budget regardless 😂
Kooky_Improvement_38@reddit
Rarely. I like Starbucks in Japan better than in the US. I like BOSS coffee from a vending machine in Japan better than Starbucks in Japan.
If I'm traveling abroad, it's because I want to experience and learn about the place I'm in and the culture of the people there. Also, I usually avoid American chain restaurants here in the States because the suck here, too.
Jen_the_Green@reddit
It depends on the purpose of the trip. I was just in Mexico and barely left the resort. I could've gone snorkeling or visited the Mayan pyramids or a we I'm in a cenote, but I really just needed a recharge and wanted to lie in the sun like a lizard on a rock and drink overpriced cocktails. That's exactly what I did.
Other than practicing a little of my burgeoning Spanish skills, I could've been on any beach in the US. Only one night of food was something I wouldn't find in the US.
Other trips have been more for the "get the local experience" or "do tourist stuff" purposes and have looked a bit different with more activities and seeing local experiences.
flareon141@reddit
Not different country, but i live in New York state. On vacation in Glacier national park. Last meal there was at applebee's in town because there was no way it was going down the mountain night.
Acrobatic_End6355@reddit
Neither. I don’t actively avoid them and I don’t usually seek them out. It is fun to see the differences between the American chains at home and abroad though. We all do the same thing to foreign food as the other countries do to ours. We change it based on the taste buds of local patrons and what ingredients we have access to.
nowhereman136@reddit
Depends on where and how long I'm there. I don't mind eating a McDonald's at the Vienna Airport after two weeks in Austria but I'm not gonna eat McDonald's while wandering around the city.
I do tend to go to the movies while I travel. I see movies like 3 times a week back home. It's usually once a week, depending on what's playing. It's usually in English and it's nice to see average life in the country with zero other tourists.
LukasJackson67@reddit
I don’t go to Starbucks in the USA
Steamsagoodham@reddit
I’ll usually go at least once or twice to see how it’s different while also getting something I’m somewhat familiar with.
I do like to try out local food, but food is pretty low on reasons why I travel.
mykepagan@reddit
Avoid familiar things. Why would I go to see a new place only to do stuff that I do at home?
GF_baker_2024@reddit
No. A large part of the fun of traveling (for me) is experiencing local businesses and brands. I avoid most of the large restaurant and coffee chains here, so I have no interest in seeking them out in other countries.
Aldi stores are hit or miss. The older stores are kind of dark and dingy; the newer or recently remodeled stores are much nicer. My husband hated shopping at our local Aldi before it was torn down and rebuilt last year; now it's his first stop for groceries.
WildlifePolicyChick@reddit
I avoid anything I can get at home.
Silt-Sifter@reddit
The closest thing to traveling to foreign lands is when I travel to other states, and I like to avoid chains and other familiar things so I can experience the culture as best as I can.
LoyalKopite@reddit
It is mix of both.
flareon141@reddit
Usually avoid. I went to a Starbucks (i think. Or other coffee place) in Southafrica
y3llowed@reddit
It’s a huge mixed bag for us. We try to avoid American restaurants like the plague, but everything else is fair game if it’s clearly better for us.
For example, we stayed in a Hilton in Munich because it was located where we wanted to stay (and close to public transit), they had a banger of a deal on rooms (essentially two for one on adjacent rooms), and we got a partial reimbursement for the credit card.
But we’ve also stayed in BnBs in Scotland, in Schloss Leopoldskron in Austria, AirBnB flats across Europe and Canada, and etc.
For groceries, we go wherever is most convenient usually. Store brand doesn’t really matter.
Restaurants, though, we try generally try to avoid chains (especially large chains). The more local, the better. We’ll knowingly eat at some tourist traps if they’re very highly rated, but we also love holes in the wall and local pubs in the middle of small towns.
That said, there are exceptions when traveling with kids. My wife and I have eaten at outdoor markets or street stalls and gotten the kids McDonald’s to go more than once.
Shevyshev@reddit
I generally avoid American chains when abroad.
I’m less concerned about hotels than for, say, restaurants - I’m mostly there to sleep. That said, I can’t think of a time that I stayed in an American hotel abroad.
Music_For_The_Fire@reddit
Only two times i can think of.
My then girlfriend and I were wine drunk in Spain and realized we were starving. So we got Burger King next to our hotel and ate it in our room.
I was visiting a friend in Pakistan and he insisted that we get McDonald's because it tasted different than in the US. I resisted, but he got it for us anyways. It was actually much better because it had to be prepared under halal rules.
Other than that, I always eat and drink whatever the local customs are.
BingBongDingDong222@reddit
When I went to Japan I ate mostly Japanese food. I had sushi every day, and a restaurant that specialized in Kobe beef.
However, one day for lunch I just had to try McDonalds in Japan, just because.
Ginsu_Viking@reddit
I prefer to avoid the familiar. I also like to eat out of grocery stores rather than restaurants since I can try food that is more "normal" for the average person in the day-to-day.
Staying in hostels helps avoid the "tourist district" and they are often in mixed use or residential neighborhoods. Some hostels even have kitchens accessible to the guests so I can try cooking something truly local. Vacations are for trying a different pace and vibe, not to try to drag "home" with me.
WayGroundbreaking787@reddit
I like to go to McDonald’s in various countries to see how it differs. Some interesting discoveries is that Portugal they serve soup, in Italy you can order a block of Parmesan cheese, France has macarons, and Poland has espresso lemonade. They also tend to have free Wi-Fi and bathrooms.
Starbucks doesn’t change much, I only go to use a bathroom or Wi-Fi.
I also like to go to grocery stores.
1000thusername@reddit
Generally no. I may stay in a worldwide hotel chain - specifically Hilton - most of the time because I have points and get free nights and benefits there. (Have stayed at Hilton by the Stadtpark in Vienna probably ten times - perhaps 15 now! :)
But for food, no. I hate Starbucks and don’t go there even at home in the states, so I definitely don’t go there when I’m abroad.
dystopiadattopia@reddit
Oh god I hate that. If I wanted American things I’d stay in America.
OutrageousMoney4339@reddit
I went to a McDonald's in Ireland because we were on the road and it was the only food place that was open yet. It was downright fancy! Also manned by teenagers that actually acted liked they enjoyed working there? It was probably an act, but they were a lot nicer and more chipper than the McD's teenagers in the US.
LongjumpingSurprise0@reddit
My rule when traveling is don’t get anything I can get at home, this especially means no chain restaurants. I have experienced so much delicious food as a result of that. My mother does not share that sentiment, she wants to eat at places like McDonald’s.
GothWitchOfBrooklyn@reddit
Avoid!! I want to try different stuff!
WokestWombat@reddit
I avoid familiar things. The whole point of travel is to have new experiences.
JessQuesadilla@reddit
I always try to immerse myself as much as possible in other cultures. I love to stay at boutique hotels, and I always eat the local cuisine of a region. I loved trying Francesinhas in Porto and Svíčková in Prague. I also try to brush up on common phrases of the language before travelling. It’s the most important thing to me to really have a new experience, not just go somewhere and sight see and eat McDonalds
CupBeEmpty@reddit
I try to do as much local stuff as possible even if it is just getting coffee at a Costa in the UK.
I don’t really feel the urge to try out Swiss McDonalds or anything like that.
NoShameMallPretzels@reddit
We have a rule that we can’t eat anywhere on vacation that we have at home! Even when traveling to other parts of the States. So we try to seek out local options whenever possible.
We also try to do things we can’t do at home, and if we have to make a choice, we lean towards the one we won’t be able to do again. For example, we’re going to Kenya next week, and had to choose between feeding giraffes and visiting an elephant orphanage. My teen daughter spent the summer volunteering at our local zoo which also does giraffe feedings. So while it is me of the “must dos” in Kenya, we are choosing to do some other things that we can’t do at home.
Vachic09@reddit
I generally avoid them unless I am craving something specifically offered at an American restaurant.
karenmcgrane@reddit
I’ve traveled A LOT. Every continent except Antarctica. I expect to eat food I’m not familiar with and enjoy it.
I got stuck in Paris when that Icelandic volcano blew up like 15 years ago. There was a Starbucks across the street from where I was staying and there were days I was standing at the entrance when they opened. You simply cannot get a giant amount of coffee in a paper cup to go any other way, and I maintain that my desire for a silo of caffeine is both right and good.
Also it gave me a chance to watch French people being delighted by the pastries in Starbucks, which was a particularly American form of joy.
crushedhardcandy@reddit
My little sister collects Hard Rock Cafe pins. When I was on a school trip to Beijing my small group [3 students, 1 adult] was wayyyy ahead of schedule for our dinner reservation when we walked by the Hard Rock Cafe. I asked my teacher if I could run in and buy a pin from the gift shop since we had so much extra time. My teacher screamed "I did NOT fly all the way to China to go to the Hard Rock Cafe!!!" So I didn't get a pin, and my group had to stand outside our restaurant for 35 minutes waiting for the rest of the class to arrive.
I am American but I spent 12 years of my childhood outside the US. My excitement for US things overseas solely depends on how long it's been since I'd seen one. For example, after 3 straight years in Africa with no American food whatsoever, I just about cried at the sight of a bag of pizza rolls in an American grocery store in Germany.
Shot-Artichoke-4106@reddit
We sometimes stay in Marriott hotels using points - free lodging is always nice. In general though, we generally eat locally. One of my main motivations for traveling is to go places to eat their food and drink their drinks :-)
biddily@reddit
I avoid them. I do the touristy things, but I also like the idea of getting lost in city and just seeing where I end up.
Im the person who stays in youth hostels and B&Bs and chats with people about what they've been up to and what interesting things they've done. Hotels are too closed off. No chatter.
Why would travel half way around the world to get food I could easily get at home? Bah.
cheribom@reddit
I try to experience local cuisine & culture as much as I can when traveling. However, when it’s a long trip I’ll sometimes feel a sort of “novelty fatigue” and just want something familiar to give myself a rest & reset.
737900ER@reddit
I stay at American hotel chains because of status and loyalty programs.
Beyond that, I usually try and avoid American things wherever I can.
Ana_Na_Moose@reddit
It depends in the thing we are talking about.
If it has to do with logistics or something super important like that, I tend to try to stick to American companies so I don’t accidentally get scammed in a country I am unfamiliar with the culture in.
When it comes to food, museums, and interesting experiences, I absolutely try to do mostly unfamiliar things (especially with the food).
sweet_hedgehog_23@reddit
I try to go to local places. I don't really understand spending potentially thousands of dollars to travel somewhere just to do what you would at home. I have gone to American fast-food restaurants when nothing else was open nearby. Subway in Germany was expensive. I have also stopped in at "American" snack shops out of curiosity to see what they have, but it wasn't something I went out of my way to go to.
For hotels I don't really pay attention to which chain they are a part of, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go to an American one or out of my way to avoid it. If it is the best price where I want to stay, then what brand they are doesn't make a big difference to me. I don't tend to do a lot of grocery shopping when travelling, but don't think I would even try to find an American grocery store.
boulevardofdef@reddit
Like everyone else, I prefer to go local, but I don't think I particularly care what kind of hotel I stay at.
Head_Razzmatazz7174@reddit
When we went on vacation to London, we did our best to avoid American places and ate at the local restaurants. The only fault we had with our hotel was the breakfast buffet was just trays of cooked food that were not on warmers. There were a couple of small microwaves, but it didn't really make it much better.
After that we went to the closest McDonalds every morning. Mostly because they had awesome coffee.
SteakAndIron@reddit
I try to immerse myself as much as possible. I'm normally pretty strict about how I eat but when I'm 1000 miles from home I'm absolutely eating that fancy cake that I can't get at home.
yozaner1324@reddit
I want to try different things—that's why I traveled there. I did go to McDonald's and Burger King in Germany, but that's because I'd heard they were different there and I wanted to see the difference. I ordered the stuff I didn't recognize from home and it was an interesting experience. I wouldn't have gone just to get familiar food.
Loud_Insect_7119@reddit
I like to stop in at American places (whether chains that originated in the US or local places with an American focus) if I have the time. It isn't the bulk of what I'm seeking out, but I think it's fun to see the differences.
My main takeaway is that some things are good, some things are bad, but I am really curious about why McDonald's is so much more vegetarian-friendly in many countries than in the US. I can't even eat the goddamn fries there in the US, because they're flavored with animal-derived "beef flavoring" despite not being cooked in beef tallow anymore. Yet in a number of other countries they've got whole-ass veggie burgers on the menu.
samosamancer@reddit
I only go to them if I struggle with finding vegetarian options otherwise. In general, I avoid them whenever possible.
-plottwist-@reddit
I go out of my way to do the exact opposite. Was just in Scotland a few months ago, and we got an Air BnB in the middle of the woods, we did visit Inverness as well, but I tried only local beers (which is really your only option) and I wouldn’t dare go to the TGIF’s or American fast food chains. I came here to enjoy the country and the culture, if it doesn’t agree with me that’s on me.
Kevincelt@reddit
When I travel I try to check out local places since you might as well when you travel. For grocery stores and such it’s not as important for me though, so sometimes playing it safe in a foreign country can be for the best with more mundane things. On a side note, Trader Joe’s is owned by Aldi Nord.
Loud_Insect_7119@reddit
I mostly seek out local culture, but on longer trips I do usually stop in at some "American" places. I think it's really interesting to compare and contrast my experiences within the US vs. outside of it.
That said, I mean, like once I had a 45-hour layover in London, and I wasn't seeking out a McDonald's there on that trip. But if I spend a week somewhere, yeah, I'll probably intentionally grab at least 1-2 meals from "American" places (whether those are chain restaurants that are actually American, or local places offering "American" food) because I do think it's really fun to see the differences.
SebsNan@reddit
For me personally, the biggest thrill when holidaying in another country is trying the local cuisine. I purposefully avoid places that offer food that I can get any day of the week at home. I literally laugh when I see the queues at Fish & Chips stalls or Burger stalls. Why come all this way to eat that? I realise it's just my opinion but I've eaten so many amazing foods abroad that I'd never have tasted if I'd just gone to the chippy!
Meilingcrusader@reddit
I loved eating at American/Western restaurants in Asia but not like US Chains. I loved going to the Yoshoku and Burger restaurants over there to see their take on our cuisine, the way a Chinese person visiting America might want to try American Chinese food. Don't buy pizza from the chinese, though. I don't think they understand how pizza works. They do make great fried chicken tho. I didn't stay at American hotels bc they would be much more expensive and I try to keep costs down on vacation. I don't like starbucks, I mostly got coffee from the local convenience stores in Japan and made coffee at home in China (mostly Luckin). In general I love seeing the sort of fusion Western-Eastern culture you see in cities like Kobe, Yokohama, and Shanghai
wwhsd@reddit
We usually try to experience whatever’s local.
I will stop into McDonald’s at least once because I like to try whatever the local menu items they have are.
revengeappendage@reddit
I lived in and traveled extensively in Europe while I was in college.
We did a mix. We tried all the “local” non touristy things, but we also went to planet Hollywood and hard rock cafes too.
And when we got really homesick, we did the most American thing possible - went to Disney world lol
DOMSdeluise@reddit
I can get McDonald's in the US, I would not go to it in another country except at liek an airport or something
firerosearien@reddit
It might vary, but generally when I travel I want to have unique experiences that I can't have in the US - seeing cultural sites, eating local food when possible, etc.
HighFiveKoala@reddit
I try to explore and embrace the local culture. I might stop into a McDonald's or American chain to try something that you can't get in the US.
notthegoatseguy@reddit
I did Starbucks a couple of times in Mexico City, once because it was the only restaurant open in the morning and some of the breakfast options were interesting, and another time because we were between AirBNBs and needed a place to stay for a bit.
I also got a McFlurry in one of the metro stops that was made with one of the local candies. That was fun.
I didn't intentionally seek these out but interesting nonetheless.
backintow3rs@reddit
I try to avoid everything I'm familiar with.
I want local food, local sights, and local board.
Electrical-Ad1288@reddit
I avoid American chains while abroad. I'm not dropping hundreds of dollars on plane tickets just to do the same things that I do at home.
chimbybobimby@reddit
If I've gone all this way to visit a foreign country on vacation, I'm definitely not going to eat the same stuff I can get anywhere at home! Though, I've lived abroad 2 separate times (I was a HS exchange student in China, and studied abroad and then worked in Jordan) and after a while, I got a little homesick so I did occasionally go to American chain restaurants- turns out the menu is different.
ToastMate2000@reddit
Avoid. I don't travel to do the same things I could do at home.
Admittedly, I did once get food at a McDonald's in Spain, and I normally don't ever eat McDonald's at home in the US. But I'd had a long day of travel with no meals, I was very hungry but also exhausted, and there was a McDonald's right next to the hotel. Convenience won over culture for the night.
Salty_Dog2917@reddit
The odd thing is I eat McDonald’s more while traveling than at home. Usually it’s because of the time difference, but no mostly try and have new experiences.
ScatterTheReeds@reddit
I go for the experience, so that means I take part in the local culture of where I travel.
Awdayshus@reddit
In the past, I have avoided them. However, I have some new dietary restrictions due to a medical condition since I last was out of the country. I might have to go with familiar things the next time I travel, just so I can safely eat.
derek-der-rick@reddit
Avoid. Why even go if you wanted to just stay American?