Final answer:
McDonald's avoids using the number 4 in prices in Southern China due to its association with bad luck, as it sounds like the word for death. This is part of McDonaldization of society, reflecting the global influence and adaptation of businesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Southern China, McDonald's is careful not to advertise prices with multiple occurrences of the number 4 because the number is associated with bad luck. In Chinese culture, the pronunciation of the number 4 (四, sì) is similar to the word for death (死, sǒ), therefore it's considered inauspicious. This sensitivity to cultural beliefs is part of the broader concept known as the McDonaldization of society, which refers to the principles of the fast food industry, like efficiency and calculability, dominating more sectors of society. It hints at the global reach of corporations and how they must adapt to local cultures to maintain relevance and customer appeal across diverse markets. The display of a McDonald's storefront in Egypt as an example of this phenomenon underscores the scale and adaptability of the McDonaldization process.