Family joke

Here is a cute joke, you probably heard it before, but so what, as long as it makes you smile… 😉

 

Matera PiazzaFlowerSignedCLICK Here to look at this Matera’s Print

A child asked his father, “How were people born?” His father answered: “Adam and Eve made babies, then their babies became adults and made babies, and so on.” The child then went to his mother, asked her the same question and she told him, “We were monkeys then we evolved to become like we are now.” The child ran back to his father and said, “You lied to me!” His father replied, “No son, your mom was talking about her side of the family.”

Visit McDonald’s in Italy

Trieste McDonaldSignedCLICK Here for the Trieste ITALIAN McDonald’s

 

McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in Rome in the 80’s, across from the Spanish Embassy and right next to the famed designer Valentino’s Atelier headquarters. Yes, McDonald’s had lots of experience moving into new markets, but Italy was especially difficult given the quality of ingredients used within the country. A demanding clientele had to be won.
Before long the Atelier (Valentino) sued the chain, claiming that the stench deriving from fried food was ruining its clothes. After a long legal battle, resulting in McDonald’s being forced to fix venting and airflow, it appeared that McDonald’s might be doomed in Italy. For a long time only a few McDonald’s operated in Italy, which seemed strange for a fast food chain found on nearly every street corner the world over. In spite of seeming failure, and since the fast food giant had plenty of financial resources to sustain them through thick and thin, they decided to weather the storm. They patiently waited until the timing was right and then, suddenly, many franchises appeared all over the country unexpectedly. But how did they manage?

To start with McDonald’s did what made financial sense: they bought out their competitor, Burghy, a chain that belonged to Italy’s largest meat producer. The deal greatly benefited both sides: McDonald’s took over all the restaurants, while Burghy’s former owner, Cremonini, became the sole meat supplier for McDonald’s in Italy, in addition to some other parts of Europe. Now it was time for McDonald’s to appeal to new customers, ones unaccustomed to eating burgers and fries and, mind you, with very discerning taste buds. In order to win the older generations, namely the parents who would open their wallets, McDonald’s had to offer healthier food options such as fresh salad and pasta bars. And so it was that McDonald’s entered the Italian lifestyle for good.

 

Latina McDonalds

 

CLICK Here for the Latina ITALIAN McDonald’s

Next came another major American concept, the drive-thru, which was achieved though a contract with oil giant Agip, who agreed to open a number of restaurants in their gas stations. While still not as popular as in the US, the Agip drive-thrus remain.

Dulcis in fundo, the Italian McDonald’s introduced franchising, which led to private investing and eventually made out of McDonald one of the few fast food chains that have managed to be successful in Italy. Believe it or not, McDonald’s engages in careful publicity campaigns leading to an image of the chain as one which is based on good, healthy Italian products and ingredients. Far from our dear familiar American image of greasy, fast food!

Yes, McDonald’s proves that the brand is able to thrive in new countries. And yes, unbelievable but true, Italians have embraced the Golden Arches, which can now be seen gleaming next to historical landmarks all over the country.  Just for fun, I recommend visiting a Mc Donald’s in Italy. You might not like hamburgers, but you are sure to be impressed with what they have been able to do to win their now loyal Italian customers. And, don’t forget to try McDonald’s  WINE!!!   McDonald ItalySigned

HUMOR: marriage joke

I think we all need a laugh at least once a day, more if possible 🙂

In that vein let me pass on this marriage joke I found somewhere a long time ago. It is not meant to be demeaning to anyone, it just reflects people, cultures, beliefs,fears, life, love and everything in between. Smile!

tuscanArch

CLICK Here to look at this painting

 

A woman died and arrived at the Gates of Heaven.While she was waiting for Saint Peter to greet her, she peeked through the gates. She saw a beautiful banquet table. Sitting all around were her parents and all the other people she had loved and who had died before her.

They saw her and began calling greetings to her.
“Hello – How are you!
We’ve been waiting for you!
Good to see you.” When Saint Peter came by, the woman said to him, “This is such a wonderful place! How do I get in?” “You have to spell a word,” Saint Peter told her.”Which word?” the woman asked.
“Love.”
The woman correctly spelled “Love” and Saint Peter welcomed her into Heaven.
About a year later, Saint Peter came to the woman and asked her to watch the Gates of Heaven for him that day.
While the woman was guarding the Gates of Heaven, her husband arrived. I’m surprised to see you,” the woman said. “How have you been?”

“Oh, I’ve been doing pretty well since you died,” her husband told her. ” I married the beautiful young nurse who took care of you while you were ill.  And then I won the multi-state lottery.
I sold the little house you and I lived in and bought a huge mansion. 
And my wife and I traveled all around the world. We were on vacation in Cancun and I went water skiing today. I fell and hit my head, and here I am. What a bummer!  How do I get in?”

“You have to spell a word,” the woman told him.

“Which word?” her husband asked.

“Czechoslovakia.”

POSITIVE THOUGHT: Beauty

CLICK HERE for Beauty in Capri

Capri-boatsSigned

JUST FOR TODAY: I will be not be afraid to be happy, to look for BEAUTY in what surrounds me and see the extraordinary in the ordinary. I will not be afraid to love the ones around me and to believe that those I love love me.

 

 

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