why is it that in America?

Question

It is almost impossible to eat in a civilized manner? For instance tremendously huge hamburgers, too long french fries, giant muffins. As a result people eat with their fingers and need an inordinate amount of napkins. Waiters haveing a habit of comeing to the table while I am eating or talking, interrupt me, and ask "is everything ok?" Sometimes they even try to have fake conversations with me. Also, why can I not freely choose my own table? Thank you

Answer 1

Perhaps you should avoid restaurants, where fries and muffins are served. There are high end restaurants, where you'll not find a fry in the place.

As for the restaurant staff, wanting to select your table. It is done by the staff so there is a fair distribution of diners, at various wait stations, so each server can serve an equal number of diners, so one is not overwhelmed, while others stand idle. It is also, considered good service here, for the server to check on their table, to make sure all is well, and take care of any issues, straight off.

Answer 2

Perhaps you are eating in the wrong places. Don't order the giant muffins. Better to use the napkins than stick your fingers in your mouth (I think that is incredibly rude, especially when it is punctuated with that "fip" sound at the end). Yes the waitstaff interrupting while you are eating is annoying but it's a no-win for them, because if they've missed something they need to know in time to get it to you during the meal, not afterward. If they miss something they will lose tip money.

Here's a thought... use a knife and fork more.. The British actually eat hamburgers with knife and fork.. I eat those long french fries with a fork.

Answer 3

Um, what? Last time I checked, burgers, fries and muffins were made to be eaten with your HANDS. Now, if a large amount of Americans were eating, say, spaghetti with their hands, we would have a problem. But burgers? Come on, get over it.

And you CAN choose your own table. If you don't like where they put you, ask for another table and 99% of the time they will get you another one! That is your fault for not speaking up.

Lastly, next time your cup is empty and you're thirsty and no one comes to refill your cup, you'll be wishing that a waiter would ask you if everything is ok.

Stop complaining, especially about silly things like this.

Answer 4

It's obnoxious, I agree, but here people seem to think more is what they are paying for. My husband and I travel in other countries and have splendid satisfying meals that are much less than what is served in the States but are more than filling. Look at our populous from this over sizing food frenzy...so many fat people. And the food is disgusting in general. Everything is fast food or chain restaurants serving giant portions but with no taste. I am a cook and prefer to eat at home where I can control the portions and the quality. And you are right about the interruptions at most of the restaurants. How annoying. When we eat at better restaurants, no one interrupts. Again, it's about class and quality.

Answer 5

It depends on where you go out to eat and how you eat. I usually don't end up using more than one napkin when I eat but people I go out with use a lot more. I take the time to cut my food in a civilized way and not have stuff drip onto my face. I've noticed that others I eat with are in too much of a hurry and scarf down their food and end up getting themselves dirty.
But the large food size is probably because most restaurants want to charge more for their food. Or they try to replace quality with quantity on their menus. I usually order an apetizer and if I could get away with it I would order a kid's meal because the regular size is more food than one should eat in one sitting.

Answer 6

They desperately want your business and unfortunately this is how they think they will get you back, giant everything, and overly friendly waiters. As far as a table choice, when you first walk in request- ex: no booth, table by the window, they usually comply. Sometimes,I think, it has to do with waiter distribution ( equal tips etc.) P.S. if you want small portions you'll need to go to a French restaurant.

Answer 7

You're absolutely right in your observation that we eat in a most uncivilized manner. The fast food culture is an American cultural nadir .

I only dine in Chinese establishments. THERE they know boundaries: the waitstaff wouldn't dream of injecting themselves into your space while you're eating and Chinese cuisine abhors gross portions, although the all-you-can-eat buffets are practically on the verge of installing vomitoriums.

But just because we eat like pigs doesn't mean we need to be invaded, rounded up and systematically exterminated. We're not the ONLY ones guilty, are we? I'm always a little amazed at the rapidity with which food disappears off German plates. It's incredibly good, but they INHALE it. As usual, it's a cultural thing in a culture that likes to bash America.

Bon appétit!

Answer 8

What are you supposed to eat a fry with a fork and knife?
No one asks you to be in America so quite complaining,
wth is a "fake" conversation
ungrateful much?
To choose your own table would make it hard for the restaurant to run properly...but of course that wouldn't matter to you since a table is so important.

Answer 9

Well, that's American culture. People are friendly, but sometimes false. They eat a lot and they're not formal in their eating habits. There are historical reasons for all these things.

I mean, you can't visit America and expect everyone to dine like the Queen.