Introduction to globalisation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization
Globalisation (Note: You might see it spelt with a 'Z'.. American spelling) is pretty much the spread of a uniformity that eliminates cultural nuances and creates a standardisation.
Think about 40 years ago. If you lived in the UK, were out and wanted a hamburger, the only available fast food chain was
Wimpy, famed for it's horribly named 'Bender Burger'. But basically, that was the
only place you could go. And it was innately British: The food came with a knife and fork, and on a plate. I wasn't born back then but I can only assume it completed the British theme by having the food brought to you by a comically rude waiter who is inexplicably upper class. Basil Fawlty was probably involved. But what I'm trying to get at is that it was definitely a British thing.