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Nov

Cultural Diversity at Ground Control in Paris

by Meredith Mullins on November 18, 2019

One of the best (and tastiest) ways to learn about new cultures
© Meredith Mullins

Discovering the Flavors of the World

Traveling to Syria, Italy, West Africa, India, Taiwan, Denmark, China, Greece, Mexico, and the U.S. has never been easier. Especially if you’re hungry.

The Paris phenomenon, Ground Control, offers cultural diversity in a one-stop space, with an overarching mission of encouraging a free and curious spirit (libres et curieux) and an innate concern for the planet.

Free and curious
© Meredith Mullins Read more...

Meredith Mullins 4 Comments

Cultural Diversity/France (Paris)

May

Cultural Differences of the Fast Food Kind

by Meredith Mullins on May 18, 2015

Desserts in a Paris McDonald's restaurant, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

Sweet Dreams
© Meredith Mullins

McDonald’s: From Le Croque McDo to McSpicy Paneer to Matcha McFlurry

Yummm. Rows of macarons in their inviting soft pastel palette. Rich chocolate cake. Little canelés rising like flour fortresses. Tiramisu. Cheesecake. Cookies. Lemon tarts.

Where are we?

In a sweet dessert dream? In a prominent Paris patisserie? In the restaurant of a Michelin-starred chef?

We could be. But, in fact, we’re at a McCafé, a part of the McDonald’s ambiance in France that brings all the lusciousness of French pastries and desserts to its fast food counter. From croissants to muffins to traditional French pastries, they’re all here for the (fast) taking. Read more...

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Cultural Diversity/Worldwide Sites

Mar

Oh, Deer! Road Signs in Different Cultures

by Sheron Long on March 31, 2015

Deer crossing sign in Hertfordshire, England, shows a running deer with a huge set of antlers, illustrating how different cultures interpret the same animal on road signs. (Image © Simon Gurney)

In Hertfordshire, England, the deer on road signs have a certain regal look
with antlers fit for a bejeweled crown.
© Simon Gurney

Crossing the Road and Cultures, Too

Why does a chicken cross the road? Ponder that all you wish, but know for sure that a chicken and a host of other beasts are gonna cross the road.

Humans devised the idea of warning signs to help you avoid a bump in the road. Governments and international commissions created copious specs (862 pages in the US Manual alone) to make sure the humans got it right. Read more...

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