You Want Consular Support With That Big Mac?

[Shrillland]

From USA Today: https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/mcdonalds-in-austria-will-double-as-mini-us-embassies-for-tourists-in-need-of-help/ar-AABmkOP

American tourists will soon be able to get more than a Big Mac at McDonald's in Austria.

The U.S. Embassy in Vienna announced on Facebook that Golden Arches restaurants in Austria will serve as mini embassies for American tourists, starting Wednesday.

"American citizens traveling in Austria who find themselves in distress and without a way to contact the U.S. Embassy can enter – as of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 – any McDonald's in Austria, and staff will assist them in making contact with the U.S. Embassy for consular services," the announcement read.

Consular services include reporting a lost or stolen passport or seeking travel assistance.

The post featured a picture of United States Ambassador to Austria Trevor Traina and Isabelle Kuster, managing director of McDonald's Austria, shaking hands over the signed agreement and a cup of McCafe coffee.

In a statement to Independent.co.uk, McDonald’s spokesperson Wilhelm Baldia said the U.S. Consulate selected the fast-food company because of the "brand's great fame among Americans."

Although employees at the restaurants will not be able to issue passports, they will be trained to help U.S. citizens contact the embassy 24/7 for such services, Baldia added.

Naturally, social media users poked fun at the new collaboration.

"Can I get a vanilla shake with my visa please?" one user joked, while another added, "I will have small coffee, egg mcmuffin and a passport, on the side please."

USA TODAY reached out to McDonald's for comment.

So, in short, the US Embassy in Austria made an agreement with McDonald's Austria to have their employees trained to contact the Embassy if an American needs help.

Personally, I think it's strange and kind of silly...and a really good idea. A lot of tourists or travellers can't reach their country's consulates or embassies when they need to, so making connections through institutions that are well known as part of that country could actually make things easier.

What do you think, NSG?

[Galloism]

Makes sense, honestly.

[Autonomous Cleaner Bot Cleaners]

Personally, I think it's strange and kind of silly...and a really good idea. A lot of tourists or travellers can't reach their country's consulates or embassies when they need to, so making connections through institutions that are well known as part of that country could actually make things easier.

Having traveled abroad with groups of Americans, I've observed that the first thing Americans do is immediately look for and flock to the most American thing in immediate sight.

Or, the local McDonalds.

Kind of sad, to the extent that it perhaps defeats a major purpose of travel abroad, but if your goal is to expand available options for reaching American Consular services, well, putting said services at the single most powerful American homing beacon available makes perfect sense.

[Scomagia]

It makes sense to me. Kinda strange but I can't see anything wrong with it.

[Kaystein]

Makes sense, honestly.

[Inkopolitia]

Weird? Yeah. Somehow bad? No.

[Fatatatutti]

Sounds like something that would happen in NS World.

[NERVUN]

...

Um... Ok...

I'm not sure all that many Americans (At least visiting here) would head to a McDonald's when in trouble, or not in trouble, or ever. But...

I admit I'm torn between amusement and horror at the idea of the US Embassy in Tokyo attempting to get Japanese employees at Makudonarudo to try this.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Odd choice but hey, at least they’re trying to help. McDonalds doesn’t come to mind if I need to get help while overseas but at least there’s this option in Austria. I would myself go to either the local police or find out where the embassy/consulate is but ok.

[Mushet]

This is hilarious.

[Kowani]

America!
Seriously people...

[Kannap]

Is it a coincidence that I just finished watching a rerun of American Dad where Stan and his CIA buddies were in a hostile foreign dictatorship and entered a Burger King seeking asylum on the basis that it was an American company and therefore American territory?

Life truly imitates art.

[Shrillland]

Is it a coincidence that I just finished watching a rerun of American Dad where Stan and his CIA buddies were in a hostile foreign dictatorship and entered a Burger King seeking asylum on the basis that it was an American company and therefore American territory?

Life truly imitates art.

Technically, Burger King's a Canadian company...

[The Greater Ohio Valley]

Turning McDonalds into mini-US consulates? This is literally the most American thing possible.

[Kannap]

Is it a coincidence that I just finished watching a rerun of American Dad where Stan and his CIA buddies were in a hostile foreign dictatorship and entered a Burger King seeking asylum on the basis that it was an American company and therefore American territory?

Life truly imitates art.

Technically, Burger King's a Canadian company...

Their parent company may be Canadian - and that's only recently to be fair - but Burger King itself is American. Worst thing Florida's ever given the rest of us, to be honest.

[The South Falls]

Could save a life one of these days. Could possibly also make McDonald's a safe haven for all.


Mmm, freedom.

[Dresderstan]

Hell yes this is a funny but good idea.

[Andsed]

Honestly this is a decent idea and could be expanded on. Like maybe other business could do this in countries all across the world and help tourist should that be required.

[The Two Jerseys]

The only way this could be more American is if those distressed tourists are rescued by John Wayne riding a bald eagle with Jimi Hendrix' version of The Star-Spangled Banner playing in the background.

[Galloism]

The only way this could be more American is if those distressed tourists are rescued by John Wayne riding a bald eagle with Jimi Hendrix' version of The Star-Spangled Banner playing in the background.

Trade the eagle for a predator drone.

[The Two Jerseys]

The only way this could be more American is if those distressed tourists are rescued by John Wayne riding a bald eagle with Jimi Hendrix' version of The Star-Spangled Banner playing in the background.

Trade the eagle for a predator drone.

The Duke's wingman Clint Eastwood rides the drone.

[Purgatio]

If average Americans who need help getting a new passport or registering an overseas birth go straight to a McDonalds rather than a US embassy or consulate...that honestly paints a wholly unflattering picture of the American psyche, mentality and gross inclinations.

[Galloism]

Trade the eagle for a predator drone.

The Duke's wingman Clint Eastwood rides the drone.

Better.

[Des-Bal]

If it looks stupid but it works it isn't stupid.

[Maineiacs]

Trade the eagle for a predator drone.

The Duke's wingman Clint Eastwood rides the drone.

Like Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove.