Post 14: Ch. 13, 14, 57

 In Chapter 13 the author argues that the success of MacDonald’s in Hong Kong did not simply destroy the local culture or some form of indirect cultural imperialism, but rather the local culture adapted to fit McDonald’s into their own customs. And McDonalds to a certain extent adapted to the customs of Hong Kong. It’s interesting the many examples across the world of McDonald’s trying to adapt to local markets; obviously some are more successful than others. What is more interesting though is the differences in what McDonalds means to different peoples across the world, from disgust to reverence.

In Chapter 14 the author discusses the migration from Dominica to Boston. Many of these immigrants stayed closely tied with the island they left, through communication and transfer of money. Through this ease of communication, new social norms can also travel back to the villages of Dominica, such as political views and gender norms. I think this is a good way of helping the home countries of immigrants to the U.S., who otherwise would be without economic opportunity.

 In Chapter 57 the author talks about the spread of religious practices originating in Asia, such as yoga and meditation. This chapter goes into how the religious context of yoga, originating in Hindu and Buddhist religious settings, has perhaps lost some of its original meanings or significance in the Western World. In the West, yoga is used as a form of exercise or meditation, and it has become a prominent part of the fitness industry. While the original religious significance may not be retained in every YMCA across the country, I think the differences between how yoga is practiced in the West and the East are distinct enough that no person is confusing Western practices as authentic to its original meaning, corrupting its historical and cultural significance for Indians.