oh please don't start the australia/US shit again. not even joking.

What shit? He doesn't like vegemite so that means he has a 'refined american palate', the implication being of course that Australians eat shit.

And it's not ok for me to wisecrack back?

Get a grip.

I think pretty much anyone who refers to the American palate as being refined can be assumed to be stewing in irony.

For chrissake, we're the nation that invented Pancake and Sausage on a Stick.

Eh hem - need I mention McDonalds?

McDonalds has done pretty well all over the world. I think that's fairly indicative of the types of 'refined palates' owned by most of the world.

No, I disagree. I think its a measure of the consistency they can produce - the food tastes like shit no matter where you buy it - The only thing they have going for them is it all tastes like THE SAME shit no matter which McDonald's you get it from.

yes, and people like the taste.

Thats up for debate.

Well, it's got to do with brand labeling and there's some other fancy schmantsy term too which involves bringing up kids to think it's the ants pants.

For example, they have those play gyms and stuff there and 'happy' meals etc and pretty much everyone has said something along the lines of, "I'll take you to mcdonalds for a treat" to their kids which means kids are brought up thinking that it's a place you feel happy being at and eating at.

Yeah lots of people 'outgrow' mcdonalds food, but some people never grow up. ;)

So, you don't think 60 million years of evolutionary survival impulse to eat foods high in fat and salt has anything to do with it?

Let me tell, anyone who has kids knows that no matter how much training you do on getting them to eat certain foods, making healthy choices a creative and adventurous and enjoyable part of their normal diet, they will still tear into a stack of fries and a cheeseburger any chance you give them.

I'm sure it's got a lot to do with that too, but i doubt Mr McDonald had that in mind when he started his business.

I know my kids love McDonalds just as much as the next kid, although it's the frozen raspberry drink they crave most. I'm not sure, but I think it's got something to do with the sugar. ;)

Not really a measure of consistency, the menu from the US is quite different from the Aussie one....but a Big Mac tastes like cardboard no matter where I guess.

The Royale with Cheese is pretty good.
--Vincent Vega

I like the fish-filet with cheese, no tartar sauce, extra foaming agent.

I can't get on board with the cheese on fish concept. Too much goin' on.