Imagine then, the cognitive dissonance that came about when I was invited to McDonald’s; on the one hand, I was invited by a French person to join in, on the other hand it was to do something that could be considered the pinnacle of American (Anglo-Saxon!) culture.

It was a difficult decision. I haven’t eaten “Fast Food” for a number of years now, mainly just because I don’t like it, rather than any sort of culinary snobbery, so I desperately wanted to get out of it.

However, I ended up going because this particular mademoiselle was “persuasive”, shall we say.

I’ve asked a number of French people if they like Fast Food and how often they go. The general response is “Yes, from time to time.”

My follow up question is usually related to “Americanisation” and “cultural imperialism”. Having written a report about whether France is really Anti-American in a political sense, I was interested to look at the cultural implications. Evidently, I found that my colleagues in Bath were mistaken for suggesting the French were antagonistic towards American food, or even foreign food. My search for Soy Sauce is a good example.

Of course, my friends are generally quite young. Here in Nice, there is an independence/nationalist (you heard me) movement with the slogan “Yes to Socca, no to the Kebab!” (Socca is a Nicois speciality.)

McDonald’s is successful here because of American tourists (obviously) but also because it has been able to adapt its menu. Some options are in fact just versions of traditional French sandwiches.

Burger King, to the contrary, tried to establish a presence in France, but it was quite short lived.

The most popular chain here is “Quick”, a sort of French McDonald’s, (they tell me it’s French, but I’m inclined to believe it’s actually Belgian) which removes any cultural ramifications that might have existed. Frankly, it’s almost indistinguishable. It’s mainly just a bit of teasing against the fact that I’m an Anglo-Saxon. In reality, Anglo-French relations boil down to sibling rivalry.

That said; I won’t be going back unless I really have to, as another act of conformism!

The day before yesterday, I wrote complaining about how there had been no Cream Soda available in the shops for a week.

Yesterday, I went in to have another go. Well…

Amazing! No Cream Soda for a week, I write a post bemoaning this fact, and the next day, voila!

It was even 2 for 80p as a way of saying sorry.

Coincidence? I think not. Behold the power of the Internets.

For over a week now, I have been trying to purchase a bottle of Cream Soda (and the accompanying ice cream), to no avail.

Despite best efforts, at any given moment there are no bottles of the aforementioned soda in either Sainsbury’s or Co-Op. The product label is still on the shelf, which is at best bare or at worst replaced by something called “Dandelion and Burdock”. The product in question is nowhere to be found.

I might attribute it to that fact that there has been a heat-snap in the weather; however I regularly buy Cream Soda (Better than Lemonade, cheaper than Pepsi!) and usually find the shelf full. A few degrees surely can’t bring out all the closet soda drinkers, not in such a huge rush.
Has there been a crisis in the Vanilla supply? Was a shipment contaminated by juice companies?

The lack of product in both major supermarkets cannot be just a coincidence, and the way the stores are run rule out any explanations along the line of “everybody was panic buying” because just-in-time management means that if there is suddenly a jump in popularity, it’s recorded and replacements are ordered as a matter of course. A surge in demand causes a surge in supply.

If you have any explanations for the root of this scandal, write in via the comments. If you have been able to locate said beverage, send it to me via the usual address.

Now, I’m drinking Red Bull for the first time, and hopefully the last.