McDonald’s that bastion of American fast food has spread throughout the globe. You might expect that everything is exactly the same in their restaurants no matter where you eat, whether you have a quick bite in Acapulco, Mexico or in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, despite consistently offering quick meals with often times, questionable nutritional value, there are other subtle differences in the dining experience when you visit abroad.

For example, years ago when I visited France, you had to pay a surcharge to eat your meal inside the restaurant instead of getting takeout. Many of you may be familiar with the famous conversation from Pulp Fiction character Jules played by Samuel L. Jackson that explains a quarter-pounder with cheese is called a Royal with cheese. Back when I was there you could also get wine or beer with your meal I believe but now according to the online French menu it seems that has changed.

Nevertheless, regardless of subtle differences, McDonald’s while bringing a taste of America to the world, wants to be a taste of home for Americans even abroad. Therefore, a US customer can hold considerable sway even when dissatisfied with something while visiting a Dutch McDonald’s restaurant according to an online article in Expatica (07/12/06) - Holland’s magazine for foreign residents of the Netherlands.

It seems the Dutch decided to have a little tongue in cheek humor as far as the restaurant’s men’s room décor. It may seem an unexpected place for creative expression but we, North Americans take our urination rather seriously it seems. The issue that raised the ire of a visiting American man was that the urinals were shaped like a pair of open female lips. In fact, the standup john design is affectionately named “Kisses” by its Dutch female designer Meike van Schijndel of Utrecht-based firm Bathroom Mania!

The owner of the southeast Netherlands’ franchise has said the urinals will be removed and sold off, although meant to be a work of art, he says, “I’m not going to harp on about a pair of urinals.”

I guess the Dutch get less pissed when they don’t agree with a foreigner’s taste.