What It's Like To Go To McDonald's In Russia

When it comes to symbols of American impact around the world, McDonald's might as well top the list – they're everywhere, and today I went to one in downtown Moscow.

I expected it to be a straightforward proposition to walk in and order a meal, but when I apologetically confessed to the cashier that I didn't speak Russian, it became clear that this was a problem.

I improvised and scaled my order way back, giving the near-universal request for a cheeseburger: "One Big Mac, please."

Language barrier: broken.

Disclosure: Our trip to Moscow, including travel and lodging expenses, was sponsored by the Russian Quantum Center.