Have you ever considered what your McDonald’s routine reveals about your personality? A new quiz has been designed to pinpoint your unique McDonald’s ‘tasting personality’.
It follows a survey by the fast-food giant which questioned over 2,000 adults who have visited the chain in the last year about their preferences.
And it turns out the debate around whether the gherkin should be included or not has been settled with two-thirds of voting to keep it in their burger compared to just a third who leave it off. Interestingly, 25 per cent of those who don’t enjoy it still pass it on to someone else instead of wasting it.
The discussion doesn’t stop at the contentious gherkin; another heated debate involves the McDonald’s habit of dunking fries into milkshakes.
The poll highlighted that this sweet-meets-savoury practice has a youthful following, with nearly half of the youngsters aged between 18 to 24 trying it out, typically choosing the vanilla or strawberry milkshakes as their dipping sauce of choice.
These food customs, be it opting out of a gherkin or indulging in a dip of the fry into a milkshake, represent more than mere preferences.
Gastrophysicist Professor Charles Spence said: “We all live in different worlds of taste, and the rituals we develop around food and drink tend to offer us comfort.
“From loving or hating the green, sour, and crunchy gherkin to choosing your preferred dipping pace, research shows that engaging in regular or familiar eating habits can make our favourite foods taste even better,” Spence elaborated.
Curious about what your McDonald’s rituals says about you? Take the quiz now
Professor Spence suggests that each person has a distinct “taste personality” which influences their food preferences.
“Our taste personality also includes how we respond to different levels of sweetness in what we eat,” he added. “The population can generally be divided into ‘sweet-likers,’ ‘sweet-neutrals,’ and ‘sweet-dislikers’.”
This could shed light on why certain customers prefer to kick off their McDonald’s feast with a sweet treat before delving into the savoury items, or the other way around—yes, that includes dunking fries into a milkshake.
For example, it was discovered that Londoners are particularly inclined to start their McDonald’s meal with a dessert, with McFlurries being an especially favoured option.
A McDonald’s representative joined the conversation to praise the cherished customs and quirks that make eating at the renowned fast-food chain so special.
“We know our customers feel very passionately about their favourites, and we love to celebrate the relatable little moments that connect us all,” the spokesperson said.
“Whether it’s turning the box into a makeshift table, dipping at a debatable speed, or sneaking a fry or two off your friend’s tray, everyone has their own ‘Only at McDonald’s’ behaviours.
“From traditionalists to trendsetters, if you’re having fun and enjoying your order, we’ll always support your foodie endeavours.”