OMG we've become so Americanized
Jul 20th 2010, 6:51 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 513
OMG we've become so Americanized
Am back for a trip in the UK and must have been indoctrinated into the plastic, bouffant TV presenters of the US as everyone I'm watching on UK TV looks really scruffy! I've figured out it's down to their hair - it's obviously just not as primped and cardboard as the US presenters I now watch so it appears messy to me. Ben Shepherd on GMTV looks like he's just stepped out the shower!!!!
The other thing we've found really funny is our impatience in restaurants. We're so used to the quick service in the US - which we used to moan about when we first went there as more often than not they ask you if you want desert whilst you're still eating your main course, and they give you the check before you've finished etc - and now we're doing the reverse!!
Ho hum - inevitable changing viewpoints I guess.
The other thing we've found really funny is our impatience in restaurants. We're so used to the quick service in the US - which we used to moan about when we first went there as more often than not they ask you if you want desert whilst you're still eating your main course, and they give you the check before you've finished etc - and now we're doing the reverse!!
Ho hum - inevitable changing viewpoints I guess.
Jul 20th 2010, 7:18 am
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Dubuque, Iowa, USA
Posts: 3,770
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
Am back for a trip in the UK and must have been indoctrinated into the plastic, bouffant TV presenters of the US as everyone I'm watching on UK TV looks really scruffy! I've figured out it's down to their hair - it's obviously just not as primped and cardboard as the US presenters I now watch so it appears messy to me. Ben Shepherd on GMTV looks like he's just stepped out the shower!!!!
The other thing we've found really funny is our impatience in restaurants. We're so used to the quick service in the US - which we used to moan about when we first went there as more often than not they ask you if you want desert whilst you're still eating your main course, and they give you the check before you've finished etc - and now we're doing the reverse!!
Ho hum - inevitable changing viewpoints I guess.
The other thing we've found really funny is our impatience in restaurants. We're so used to the quick service in the US - which we used to moan about when we first went there as more often than not they ask you if you want desert whilst you're still eating your main course, and they give you the check before you've finished etc - and now we're doing the reverse!!
Ho hum - inevitable changing viewpoints I guess.
Tut!
You'll be driving on the right-side of the road next!
Jim.
Jul 20th 2010, 8:02 am
#3
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
I always assumed the delay in the UK was the hope that you'd order more drinks... but OTOH more than once I've threatened to leave without paying if they didn't finish handling the bill/check right away because I was so fed up waiting! Funny how the service speeds up suddenly when you have your coat on and most of the party are gone or going.
I also assumed that getting the bill/check very quickly meant they wanted you to leave pronto so they could get more punters in.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
I also assumed that getting the bill/check very quickly meant they wanted you to leave pronto so they could get more punters in.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
Jul 20th 2010, 9:31 am
#4
Septic Sprout
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 7,993
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
I always assumed the delay in the UK was the hope that you'd order more drinks... but OTOH more than once I've threatened to leave without paying if they didn't finish handling the bill/check right away because I was so fed up waiting! Funny how the service speeds up suddenly when you have your coat on and most of the party are gone or going.
I also assumed that getting the bill/check very quickly meant they wanted you to leave pronto so they could get more punters in.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
I also assumed that getting the bill/check very quickly meant they wanted you to leave pronto so they could get more punters in.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
I love the way you're treated in many European restaurants where they assume that you'll be camping out for the entire evening, as many people actually do. The UK seems to be - as it is in so many other ways - a kind of half-way house between the EU and US style of doing things. After 5 years I still can't get used to the fact that Mrs tonrob and I can go out for a restaurant meal and be sat back on the sofa an hour later...
Jul 20th 2010, 1:53 pm
#5
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
Maybe you are!
I love the way you're treated in many European restaurants where they assume that you'll be camping out for the entire evening, as many people actually do. The UK seems to be - as it is in so many other ways - a kind of half-way house between the EU and US style of doing things. After 5 years I still can't get used to the fact that Mrs tonrob and I can go out for a restaurant meal and be sat back on the sofa an hour later...
I love the way you're treated in many European restaurants where they assume that you'll be camping out for the entire evening, as many people actually do. The UK seems to be - as it is in so many other ways - a kind of half-way house between the EU and US style of doing things. After 5 years I still can't get used to the fact that Mrs tonrob and I can go out for a restaurant meal and be sat back on the sofa an hour later...
my thoughts exactly.
if a restaurant brings me my entree while I'm still only halfway through the appetizer I tell them to bring it back when I am ready for it.
Jul 20th 2010, 2:11 pm
#6
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,367
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
I always assumed the delay in the UK was the hope that you'd order more drinks... but OTOH more than once I've threatened to leave without paying if they didn't finish handling the bill/check right away because I was so fed up waiting! Funny how the service speeds up suddenly when you have your coat on and most of the party are gone or going.
I also assumed that getting the bill/check very quickly meant they wanted you to leave pronto so they could get more punters in.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
I also assumed that getting the bill/check very quickly meant they wanted you to leave pronto so they could get more punters in.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
Jul 20th 2010, 2:13 pm
#7
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,367
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
Better to not even order the entree until you have your appetizer ... otherwise your meal will just sit under a heat lamp for 20-30 mins.
Jul 20th 2010, 2:18 pm
#8
Septic Sprout
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 7,993
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
That's happened to me a couple of times. I'll stipulate that I want a fresh one making too rather than have the original sit around.
Jul 20th 2010, 2:41 pm
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: North Charleston,SC. born in Stockport,UK.
Posts: 10,109
Jul 20th 2010, 2:48 pm
#12
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,367
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
Maybe the English think it's impolite to tell the server how they want things paced as far as their meal goes? I go out with a friend a lot and (depending on our mood) we'll let the server know how it's going to go down and I believe they appreciate it.
"We're going to have few drinks before we order."
or
"We'll have an appetizer while we're deciding what we want."
or
"Do you mind clearing these plates? But we're not ready for the check yet."
"We're going to have few drinks before we order."
or
"We'll have an appetizer while we're deciding what we want."
or
"Do you mind clearing these plates? But we're not ready for the check yet."
Last edited by Leslie; Jul 20th 2010 at 3:24 pm.
Jul 20th 2010, 2:53 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
I'm starting to worry just a bit too.
I'm beginning to think that all the dark furniture actually looks OK after all, my husband now thinks trucks are "quite nice and a good idea". I don't bat an eyelid at shingle roof tiles (which I used to think made the houses look like posh sheds) and finally, that sheets and comforters are a damn good combination.
I'm beginning to think that all the dark furniture actually looks OK after all, my husband now thinks trucks are "quite nice and a good idea". I don't bat an eyelid at shingle roof tiles (which I used to think made the houses look like posh sheds) and finally, that sheets and comforters are a damn good combination.
Jul 20th 2010, 3:21 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Belleville, Michigan
Posts: 80
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
I'm starting to worry just a bit too.
I'm beginning to think that all the dark furniture actually looks OK after all, my husband now thinks trucks are "quite nice and a good idea". I don't bat an eyelid at shingle roof tiles (which I used to think made the houses look like posh sheds) and finally, that sheets and comforters are a damn good combination.
I'm beginning to think that all the dark furniture actually looks OK after all, my husband now thinks trucks are "quite nice and a good idea". I don't bat an eyelid at shingle roof tiles (which I used to think made the houses look like posh sheds) and finally, that sheets and comforters are a damn good combination.
Jul 20th 2010, 4:08 pm
#15
Last orders please...
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Way down deep in the middle of the Jungle..
Posts: 6,154
Re: OMG we've become so Americanized
Am back for a trip in the UK and must have been indoctrinated into the plastic, bouffant TV presenters of the US as everyone I'm watching on UK TV looks really scruffy! I've figured out it's down to their hair - it's obviously just not as primped and cardboard as the US presenters I now watch so it appears messy to me. Ben Shepherd on GMTV looks like he's just stepped out the shower!!!!
The other thing we've found really funny is our impatience in restaurants. We're so used to the quick service in the US - which we used to moan about when we first went there as more often than not they ask you if you want desert whilst you're still eating your main course, and they give you the check before you've finished etc - and now we're doing the reverse!!
Ho hum - inevitable changing viewpoints I guess.
The other thing we've found really funny is our impatience in restaurants. We're so used to the quick service in the US - which we used to moan about when we first went there as more often than not they ask you if you want desert whilst you're still eating your main course, and they give you the check before you've finished etc - and now we're doing the reverse!!
Ho hum - inevitable changing viewpoints I guess.
..after being blinded by the american pearly whites for soo long it was weird to see crooked natural teeth..The one thing I found whilst eating in the US..is exactly like you say rush rush rush...until you ask for the check...then they'll leave you sat there for what feel like ages until you have to remind them again...(I'm sure they're hoping that you'll just throw the money down on the table and leave without expecting any change)..
