Getting something to eat

When you are in the U.S., you will find restaurants for every situation. If you're in a hurry, you may just want to grab some "junk food" at a grocery store or a candy counter or you can get a bite to eat at one of the many fast food chains, like McDonald's, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, or Taco Time. or you can get a hero or submarine sandwich "to stay" or "to go" from a sandwich shop. Some of these places have tables, but many don't. People eat in their cars or take their food home, to their offices or to parks. If you prefer sitting down but still don't want to spend much, you can try a cafeteria. At all of these places, you pay at a cash register before you sit down, and you don't have to tip anybody -- but you usually have to clear the table when you finish!

Coffee shops are usually less expensive and less dressy than fine restaurants. So are pizza places, pancake houses, sandwich shops and family restaurants. But the name of a restaurant won't necessarily tell you much about the kind of place it is or the food it serves. Like most fast food restaurants and cafeterias, many restaurants don't serve alcoholic beverages. This is often because they want people to feel comfortable bringing their children. Minors can eat at restaurants that serve beer and wine, but they are not allowed to enter pubs, taverns, cocktail lounges or bars. You may be asked to show some ID that proves your age before you go into a bar.

In the U.S., people prefer waiting for a table to sitting with people they don't know. This means a hostess may not seat a small group until a small table is available, even if a large one is. If you are sitting at a table with people you don't know, it is impolite to light up a cigarette without first asking if it will disturb them.

At American restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, you are usually served tap water before you order. You may find the bread and butter is free, and if you order coffee, you may get a free refill. Soft drinks are sweet, carbonated drinks like Coke. Hard drinks are alcoholic, like whiskey, vodka, etc. They are served straight or on the rocks. In some restaurants you can bring your own wine. In some states, you can buy liquor at a restaurant to take home. Every state makes its own laws about the sale of alcohol. In some states, you have to buy it at a special state-owned store licensed to sell liquor.

Most cities and towns have no rules about opening and closing times for stores or restaurants, though they usually do make rules for bars. Especially in large cities, stores may be open 24 hours a day. Servings in restaurants are often large -- too large for many people. If you can't finish your meal but would like to enjoy the food later, ask your waitress or waiter for a "doggie bag".It may have a picture of a dog on it, but everybody knows you're taking the food for yourself.

Supper and dinner are both words for the evening meal. Some people have "Sunday dinner".This is an especially big noon meal. Tips are not usually added to the check. They are not included in the price of the meal, either. A tip of about 15% is expected, and you should leave it on the table when you leave. In less expensive restaurants, you pay your check at the cash register on your way out. In some, a check is brought on a plate and you put your money there. Then the waiter or waitress brings you your change. In some restaurants you can pay with a credit card, including the tip.