Survival Guide: Dining Out in the US
For Americans, it’s the most normal thing in the world. But knowing that you’re better off sharing the main course because the portions are so enormous is definitely useful before you order. Plus seven more handy tips for dining out in the US.
Air conditioning
Americans love a cold breeze. And by that I really mean love it. As in: having the air conditioning set to Siberia is the most normal thing in the world. So bring a cardigan, denim jacket or snowsuit before stepping into a restaurant in the US.
Bring your own wine
Wine lovers, take note: in some restaurants in the US, you’re allowed to bring your own wine. Very nice. But before you pull out your personal corkscrew, here’s a quick BYOB lesson for dummies. It’s useful to Google in advance which restaurants have a Bring-Your-Own-Bottle- policy. These BYOB restaurants aren’t on every street corner, after all. You’ll also (usually) pay a so-called corkage fee. On average, that will cost you between ten and forty dollars. Some restaurants also have certain rules. For example, you’re often not allowed to bring wine that they also have on the menu themselves.
The staff
In the Netherlands, you might sometimes hit it off with the staff, but often the interaction doesn’t go beyond taking your order and saying thank you when your food or drinks are served. In the US, things are a little different. The staff will often introduce themselves, first name and all, make conversation and check every ten minutes to see how you’re doing. This is partly about culture and service, but especially about the hope of a generous tip (between twelve and twenty percent). The legal minimum wage in the US is lower than in Europe, and staff often depend on their tips. So are you happy with Jennifer’s or Bryan’s service? Tip them!
Ordering alcohol
Americans aren’t joking when it comes to their drinking age (21+). If restaurants are caught serving alcohol to minors, there’s a good chance they’ll lose their liquor license and, with it, a large part of their income. The solution? No matter how many grandchildren you have or how gray your hair is, there’s a chance they’ll ask for your ID. So always bring your ID if you plan to drink alcohol that evening.
Refills
In the US, it’s common to get a refill on your drink. This means that when you order something to drink, you only pay for the first glass and it’s then refilled unlimited times. One important thing to know: refills usually only apply to soft drinks, tea and coffee. If you order juice, you’ll pay per glass. And if you order cola first and orange soda afterward, you’ll (often) pay for both.
Opening hours
Americans want to eat whenever they want to eat. Even if that’s at four in the morning. Restaurants, of course, are smart enough to cater to this. Many restaurants are open 24/7. Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s and American diner Denny’s, for example… Have a late-night craving? These restaurants are there for you.
Doggy bag
‘Can I have a doggy bag, please?’, you’ll probably hear about ten times in one evening. In the US, it’s also perfectly normal to take home food you couldn’t finish in a container or bag. And rightly so, because the portions are massive. So don’t hesitate. And with a doggy bag like that, you’ll immediately have food for tomorrow, too. And the day after.
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