How Western Consumerism is Changing China

It was interesting to read in Jasper Becker's book The Chinese about the ways western companies had to adapt to when operating in China, and how they had in turn changed China.

Unilever's subsidiary, Walls, found it had to give away refrigerator boxes and carts free to vendors before it could sell its brands.

Cadbury had to make a slightly less sweet chocolate.

But Chinese too have changed as a result of the foreign onslaught. They rarely ate potatoes in the past, yet began to acquire a taste for potato chips.

Even cheese, which the Chinese are generally thought to dislike, is now produced in China and eaten, if only on pizzas. Indeed, one German company Hochland, has even produced cheese flavored with banana or strawberry in the hope of persuading the Chinese to acquire the taste.

Introduction of western consumerism has also brought about a change in Chinese habits and customs.

Chocolate manufacturers now promote Valentine's Day while McDonald's have encouraged parents to bring their children to their restaurants for birthday parties.