Between Big Mac and Big Lie?
According to a recent Synovate survey the French are the least attracted by fast food, while the Britons and Americans top the league.
When asked to agree or disagree with the statement 'I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up', the most addicted nation was the United Kingdom with 45% agreeing. The highest disagrees were France (81%), Singapore (75%) and Hong Kong and Romania (both 73%).
These numbers seem to conflict with the reality.
Other figures indicate that the French are huge fast food eaters. With 1,085 restaurants in 2006, McDonald's France has the highest number of outlets per head in Europe, serving 1.2 million meals every day — one meal for every 50 French.
How can these conflicting figures be explained? The answer comes from the researchers themselves. Their French director:
"We [the French] are more concerned about our traditional high-fat cooking techniques and rich ingredients. This is not something we are going to give up easily… sharing classic food and time with loved ones is key to the French sensibility. However, there is also an element of not wanting to admit that fast food has a place in our lives," he said.
So, the French are just lying about their love of fast food. And that throws the results of the survey completely out of the window.
