I recently travelled to Chicago on a trip and me and my friends went into a restaurant to eat. First of all, I ask for sweet tea and the server looked at me like I was crazy. Second of all, I asked if they had okra and he looked at me once again like I had lost my marbles. Has this ever happened to anyone? Who in the world doesn't know what sweet tea is?
2006-08-31 07:28:07 · 24 answers · asked by gapeach 4 in Dining Out ➔ Other - Dining Out
omg my boyfriend went into a big boy in michigan and asked for fried steak and they brought him out something that was small like breaded salsburry steak and he asked what the hell was that and she said his fried steak. omg we sooooooo laughed as that is not how they serve it down in the south.
2006-09-01 01:49:44 · answer #1 · answered by queenie_the_big_pushen_meanie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First of all, both sweet tea and okra and the serving thereof is an incredibly unique SOUTHERN phenomenon. In no other city I have ever lived in the U.S (besides those that ARE southern.- and, by the way, I am a southerner-) has ANYONE ever served such- and it truly IS rare to be asked for it in any market other than the south. It isn't that they are judging, it is just that they really never, ever have had such requests. I have lived in Aspen, New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, South Beach Miami (which, is as southernmost as it is is sooooo NOT the south,) New Orleans, Atlanta, and Jacksonville. ONLY the latter three have ever heard of any such thing as a general course of action. Don't blame them- it's really a cultural thing. Don't be offended. But just so you do know, all people serve sweetener with their tea. They just expect that they will adjust their own to their liking.
2006-08-31 19:23:06 · answer #2 · answered by Kate D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sweetie, for someone who claims to "love everyone," you sure seem to be suffering from a tolerance imbalance.
You have every right to be upset that the server treated you rudely because he didn't understand you. He shouldn't have done that.
But I'm here to tell you that lots of people in the North don't know what sweet tea is. My first trip to the South I was shocked when I ordered iced tea and got it thick with sugar, which I had not requested, and don't find remotely refreshing. But I also know that how I take my tea is a matter of personal preference, not dogma or law.
Would a restaurant in your neighborhood be able to serve a Yankee a Chicago-style hot dog? I doubt it. Heck, I live in Chicago and I don't know what all they pile on those things. But I think that most Chicagoans wouldn't try to order a Chicago-style hot dog or a Chicago-style pizza outside of Chicago, especially if it wasn't listed on the menu at the restaurant they were visiting.
Does it upset you that Northerners don't say "y'all" or "solid quarter" too? Relax and try to enjoy and learn from the cultural differences you encounter when you travel, rather than getting your knickers in a twist over them.
2006-08-31 12:55:27 · answer #3 · answered by Kim 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sweet tea is a Southern thing. Most people up North would bring you a glass of tea and sugar packets which would be pretty nasty. Okra is also more of a Southern veggie. He shouldn't have looked at you any way but just apologized and explained they didn't have those items. As a server he should have tried to accomodate you or at least offer other suggestions.
2006-09-01 20:40:25 · answer #4 · answered by Abbey C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm from Florida, and when I moved to Chicago, I was very surprised they'd never heard of it here. I'm also a server, and MOST restaurants dont even brew tea!!! Its from a fountain!! I have noticed more & more customers asking for "sweet tea" so maybe its moving its way North. Okra is another one...I LOVE it prepared any way, but my family wont even try it- i think it's its slimy reputation!!!
2006-08-31 16:28:10 · answer #5 · answered by Freakgirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May I ask where you are from?
I have lived in California most of my life and until I started working at a local truck stop I had never heard of sweet tea (honestly, I am not even sure what it means, is it tea you serve sweetened?) Okra I have heard of, my grandma (who was from Missouri) used to make it for us.
I think what you should try to remember is, your terminology that you use is not always going to be something that everyone else is familiar with. For instance, we have a wonderful roast that we put on the barbecue that is called "tri-tip" available in every grocery store around here, but my husbands cousins (again from Missouri) had never heard of it.
2006-08-31 10:08:37 · answer #6 · answered by LSGregg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know what sweet tea is. I've had fried okra, it's ok. If I were to visit your part of the country would they have green chile readily available? How about chicharrones?
2006-08-31 07:37:26 · answer #7 · answered by MoMoney23 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, no it's not. What kind of restaurant did you go into? You went to Chicago right? Well, unless this person watches Food Network...... He or she will not know what the heck you're talking about.
2006-09-01 19:42:57 · answer #8 · answered by darkhunterfan65 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THE NORTH! WE HATE SWEET TEA!!!!!(okra ain't that bad if it's cooked right I'll have to say)
2006-08-31 08:59:45 · answer #9 · answered by Cool it 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Blasphemy!
2006-08-31 07:36:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We didnt grow up drinking that in the north(east/ central or west)
dont even start in on Okra . . ..
2006-08-31 07:33:54 · answer #11 · answered by smurfee68 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋