Asia sees widespread McDonald’s refugee phenomenon
September 1, 2013 Leave a comment
Asia sees widespread McDonald’s refugee phenomenon
Staff Reporter
2013-09-01
McDonald’s introduced 24-hour operations in its chains in Japan in 2006, and since then a number of homeless people have chosen to stay in its stores for a long-term stay due to its cheap costs, earning them the name McDonald’s refugees. Media outlets in mainland China, Hong Kong and South Korea have also done their own reports on the phenomenon which has been widely seen across the region, NetEase’s online news unit reports. These homeless or jobless people, who cannot afford to pay normal rentals due to low income, have chosen to stay in 24 hour restaurants like McDonald’s. Always-open restaurants started in China in 2006, with the media reporting the refugee phenomenon at a Beijing location in December 2006. In 2007, Hong Kong and South Korea media began similar reports, finding more and more low-income people choosing to stay at McDonald’s for the long-term.In addition to homeless people, there are also groups of office workers, unmarried mothers, elderly people, as well as unattended children all making a more permanent home in the restaurants.
In recent years, Hong Kong’s McDonald’s refugees have come to include office workers who own homes, but choose to stay in the stores due to traffic or uncertain working hours. To facilitate their work, they leave their personal items in the company, carrying with them only simple clothing and supplies, and staying at McDonald’s overnight before returning to work the next day. Many don’t return to their homes until the weekend, while others choose not to go home at all, citing poor living conditions or disputes with family members.
In China, there are many high school and college students choosing to stay at McDonald’s overnight to prepare their homework, and some tourists make the choice due to a tight budget.
In Europe and the United States, fast-food restaurants have strategies to minimize the time customers spend there and few people think about being allowed to stay there overnight. In Asia, McDonald’s has implemented a policy to function as a public space, with customers generally staying longer hours than those in Europe and the US. Customers see McDonald’s chains a clean and comfortable space to stay, which has resulted in the refugee phenomenon.
Staff are instructed to let customers enjoy their dining experience, and even after they finish their meal, employees cannot ask clients to leave. At most staff members can request a client not occupy several tables or chairs for long hours during peak hours.
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