Comprehension Questions: (True or False)
1. “You are what you eat.” means you are compared to a kind of food. ( ) 2. You should ask your guests where to eat before you choose the restaurant. ( )
3. It is not recommended to pay the bill in the presence of your guests. ( ) 4. You mustn’t let your guest face a mirror or the bathroom door. ( ) (FFTT)
10. What to Remember When Eating Out?
外出就餐应牢记什么
Eating out is one of the joys of being in the USA. The food is usually good and often excellent; the prices are reasonable; and the service is mostly fine.
Choosing a Restaurant
Some restaurants are open for breakfast; others are open twenty-four hours a day. A number of restaurants call themselves “family restaurants”. Many of these serve no alcohol and have fairly restricted menus which include steaks, hamburgers, omelets and sandwiches, and all are at very reasonable prices. They may also serve smaller and cheaper children's portions. Note that many American restaurants are specialty restaurants. They may serve only, or mainly, steaks, seafood, etc.
When to Eat
Many restaurants, especially the more expensive ones, open at about 11:30 a.m. (midday, rather than 1 p.m., is the most normal time for lunch in the USA), and some remain open until the evening, so it is possible to order a meal throughout the afternoon.
In many areas it is usual for people to leave work and go out for an evening meal at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., than waiting until later.
Reserving a Table
Arriving at the Restaurant
When you arrive at the restaurant, you should not just go in and sit down, unless you see a sign saying, “Please seat yourself”. Usually you will have to wait for
a hostess or captain to escort you to a table. Often there will be a sign that reads, “Please wait to be seated”.
Do not expect to share a table with other parties, even if the restaurant is crowded. It just isn't done.
Many restaurants have a no-smoking section, in some place by windows. One excellent American custom is that after you have sat down your waiter or waitress will often bring you a glass of water (with ice naturally) and will keep on refilling it throughout the meal. (Most Americans are incapable of eating a meal without drinking something at the same time.)
When your waiter or waitress takes your order, it is not very normal for one person to order for the whole table. Each person orders separately, except in the most expensive restaurants.
Summoning a Waiter
You may find your waiter unusually friendly. He may ask you how you are (You're supposed just to say “Fine”.), inquire whether you have a good day and, later on say that he hopes you will enjoy your meal.
To summon a waiter in an American restaurant you may call “Bill”, or “Mary”, or “Claude”, or whatever. Waiters and waitresses often actually introduce themselves when they first come to your table or wear name tags; you are permitted to use their first names.
Paying the Bill
Comprehension Questions: (True or False)
1. In the U.S. it is a pleasant thing to eat out with friends. ( )
2. You should directly go in and sit down as soon as you arrive at the restaurant. ( )
3. If you reserve a table in advance, you will avoid the trouble of queuing. ( ) 4. Paying the bill with tax is considered as illegal in the USA. ( ) (TFTF)