Petite Etoile - 2-33-09 - Response to jlo360

I personally hate Johnny Rockets because I think the food is terrible. The only thing I really like is when they sing and dance and thats about it. But my parents love it because it reminds them of the past. You want to know whats funny about that? They grew up in Brazil... yeah Johnny Rockets has nothing to do with the way they grew up. But they love the design of the diner and the food and the songs because they used to watch American television shows when they were younger, like Happy Days and the Brady Bunch and all that. And those shows had such an impact on them that today they have a nostalgic feeling for those things, even though they never really experienced them. It's a strange phenomenon that I have seen a lot throughout Brazil. Everyone there loves everything that is American and it becomes such a huge part of their lives even though it has nothing to do with their lives. For instance, Brazilian food is awesome. Like not even because I'm from there and I'm buyist or anything, but as innocent bystander it is hands down the best food ever. So when I get there and my family wants to take me out for lunch and they want to take me to McDonalds I'm not only shocked, I'm disappointed. And McDonalds has the same pitch aimed towards kids and trying to stir up this nostalgia in people that they went to McDonalds every day when they were little so they should keep going now 'for old times sake.' But this is far from the truth because when they were little McDonalds had just arrived in Brazil, there was only one in the city, and it was extremely expensive. So going to McDonalds was reserved for special occasions or the wealthy. Now it's more affordable, but even so it's not cheap like it is here. And I try explaining to them that the reason we eat McDonalds here is because it's cheap, so why in the world are they paying extra for this crap when there's awesome Brazilian food on every corner for a lot less? Which also shows a sense of exoticism and the thought that whatever is new is better. Everything American is believed to be better. A couple weeks ago my aunt was telling me how excited they were to go eat at the brand new first Outback Steakhouse that was opening there. Now I don't know if you understand the irony in this, but Brazil, especially where I'm from, is like the Texas of South America. Steak is our thing. One of the best and most expensive steak houses here in Orlando is Texas De Brazil. I just don't get it...