Spin-off: American and British/Irish culture Q&A thread.

[Jangles]

I heard stews are popular in Ireland. If so, do you have a recommendation of one to try?

I prefer casseroles (in the oven) to stews (on the hob) and they tend to be meat of my choosing and whatever vegetables, herbs and spices I feel like throwing in as I cook. I like quite hearty flavours. I think the trick is to fry the veggies to bring out the flavour, sear the meat and then cook long and slow.

 

[john7994]

Do Americans really eat that many hot dogs? I would think hamburgers or pizza are a lot more common.

Americans consume 20 billion hot dogs a year. That works out to about 70 hot dogs per person each year. Hot dogs are served in 95 percent of homes in the United States.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Do Americans really eat that many hot dogs? I would think hamburgers or pizza are a lot more common.

All three would be considered quick meals during the summer time. Many non chain local ice cream shops serve all three in the summer. It’s considered healthier than fast food and usually made fresh.

 

[john7994]

The southern United States eats the bulk of all hot dogs each year - more than any other region of the country. Residents of New York City purchase more hot dogs at retail outlets (grocery stores, supermarkets, etc.) than any other city in the country - over $101 billion dollars worth. And travelers passing through Chicago's O'Hare International Airport consume more hot dogs there than LaGuardia in New York and Los Angeles International.

All of this according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council ... because there is one

 

[CdnCarrie]

I don’t think I ever order hot dogs in restaurants.

 

[john7994]

I don’t think I ever order hot dogs in restaurants.

Unless you are going to a specialty place, you can make them yourself - so its not a go to for me either

 

[NotUrsula]

People eat a lot of hot dogs at O'Hare because there are so many hot dog stands in that airport, and they are fast & relatively cheap. Also, if you've got a taste for one, it's rather hard to get a Chicago dog anywhere outside of town (because they put some very unique things on it: standard on top of the beef frank on a poppyseed bun is yellow mustard, pickle relish, raw white chopped onions, pickled sport peppers, a dill pickle spear and two raw tomato slices, plus a dash of celery seed.) Dressed like that, a hot dog is a really filling cheap sandwich, so yep, popular.

I think that the relative popularity of hot dogs lately also may have been helped by the proliferation of hot dog loss-leader deals at convenience stores and places like Costco. They are a cheap and filling meal when you're in a hurry out running errands.

 

[john7994]

People eat a lot of hot dogs at O'Hare because there are so many hot dog stands in that airport, and they are fast & relatively cheap. Also, if you've got a taste for one, it's rather hard to get a Chicago dog anywhere outside of town (because they put some very unique things on it: standard on top of the beef frank on a poppyseed bun is yellow mustard, pickle relish, raw white chopped onions, pickled sport peppers, a dill pickle spear and two raw tomato slices, plus a dash of celery seed.) Dressed like that, a hot dog is a really filling cheap sandwich, so yep, popular.

I think that the relative popularity of hot dogs lately also may have been helped by the proliferation of hot dog loss-leader deals at convenience stores and places like Costco. They are a cheap and filling meal when you're in a hurry out running errands.

Being a native of Chicago - I am quite familiar with the loaded Chicago Dog They are as good as advertised!

 

[Buzz Rules]

Good luck to Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England in their Nations League matches today.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Good luck to Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England in their Nations League matches today.

Wow, what a soccer day. Ireland beats Scotland, Wales ties Belgium, and England plays to a disappointing scoreless draw. Congratulations @BadPinkTink and @Jangles to your countries.

 

[Jangles]

Dining habits/table manners. I think there are many, many differences. When eating in a nice restaurant in the U.K. one waits until everyone has been served and the waiter has finished describing the food, then as soon as the host/hostess lifts his/her cutlery everyone begins to eat. In the U.S. people seem to begin eating as soon as the plate touches the table.
Also, in the U.K. it would be seen as very poor service for a waiter/waitress to begin clearing plates, before everyone has finished eating and set their cutlery accordingly. American servers always seem to be hovering about to steal one’s plate away.,
And people in the U.S, seem to eat so early in the evening.

 

[penn19]

Dining habits/table manners. I think there are many, many differences. When eating in a nice restaurant in the U.K. one waits until everyone has been served and the waiter has finished describing the food, then as soon as the host/hostess lifts his/her cutlery everyone begins to eat. In the U.S. people seem to begin eating as soon as the plate touches the table.
Also, in the U.K. it would be seen as very poor service for a waiter/waitress to begin clearing plates, before everyone has finished eating and set their cutlery accordingly. American servers always seem to be hovering about to steal one’s plate away.,
And people in the U.S, seem to eat so early in the evening.

It drives me nuts when people start eating before all of the food is served. I probably did it when I was younger and didn’t realize. We raised our kids to wait. Interesting when we go out to eat with their SO.

 

[john7994]

Dining habits/table manners. I think there are many, many differences. When eating in a nice restaurant in the U.K. one waits until everyone has been served and the waiter has finished describing the food, then as soon as the host/hostess lifts his/her cutlery everyone begins to eat. In the U.S. people seem to begin eating as soon as the plate touches the table.
Also, in the U.K. it would be seen as very poor service for a waiter/waitress to begin clearing plates, before everyone has finished eating and set their cutlery accordingly. American servers always seem to be hovering about to steal one’s plate away.,
And people in the U.S, seem to eat so early in the evening.

We wait until all the plates touch the table then we eat - hard to get a fork on the food if the server is still holding it

At least from my upbringing, we wait until all food is served before beginning to eat. Based on your example of food being described, that is likely more higher-end table service than the norm. Plate clearing is widely different based on the type of restaurant from casual to fine dining.

At least for myself, I am not sure what time early is defined as, but I try to eat @7P - if going out for the evening - that may extend as late as 8 or 9P.

 

[Jangles]

but I try to eat @7P - if going out for the evening - that may extend as late as 8 or 9P.

I usually reserve a table for 7.30/8, so similar. Anything before 7 pm should be afternoon/nursery tea.

I made the mistake of watching‘Below Deck’. Those guests have finished the food before the chef has even finished describing it. I think that they would eat the servers’ fingers, if they lingered too long.

 

[john7994]

I usually reserve a table for 7.30/8, so similar. Anything before 7 pm should be afternoon/nursery tea.

I made the mistake of watching‘Below Deck’. Those guests have finished the food before the chef has even finished describing it. I think that they would eat the servers fingers, if they lingered too long.

I have been known to eat as early as 6P when at home from time to time - or at least start cocktails when going out with friends as early as 5P. While I love the experience of having the food described, more often in finer-dining scenarios - it always makes me feel uncomfortable, like they want me to ask questions or say something sophisticated

Table manners vary widely by restaurant, setting, and guests. I also tend to abide by a no electronics policy in fancier settings and in general during a table service meal.

 

[Jangles]

I have been known to eat as early as 6P when at home from time to time - or at least start cocktails when going out with friends as early as 5P. While I love the experience of having the food described, more often in finer-dining scenarios - it always makes me feel uncomfortable, like they want me to ask questions or say something sophisticated

Table manners vary widely by restaurant, setting, and guests. I also tend to abide by a no electronics policy in fancier settings and in general during a table service meal.

Drinks as soon as ‘the sun sets over the yardarm’.
I like having the food described but I don’t enjoy it when it is too theatrical (looking at you Bull and Bear).
I don’t even allow mobile telephones at the table at home.
In the U.K. it is quite common to see couples/groups in a restaurant all using their mobiles. Why bother to go out if you can’t be bothered to engage with the people in front of you? You also see parents with children at tables and the children are on some sort of gaming device. How will they learn the art of polite conversation? Anyway, probably not a cultural difference, just an old person rant.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm trying to think if I've ever had a waiter "describe" food after it has been served; certainly it was never done in any restaurant I worked in during my server days. The only time we described food was when listing the special menu items for the night, when the chef had given us a little blurb to recite for each dish when presenting the menus.

When eating out, we wait until everyone is served except in cases where young children are with us and the adults' entrees are delayed. In that situation we let the tots eat as soon as their food is ready, and inform the waiter ahead of time that we wish to do so. Once children are school-aged, we expect them to wait for the rest of the family.

 

[john7994]

Drinks as soon as ‘the sun sets over the yardarm’.
I like having the food described but I don’t enjoy it when it is too theatrical (looking at you Bull and Bear).
I don’t even allow mobile telephones at the table at home.
In the U.K. it is quite common to see couples/groups in a restaurant all using their mobiles. Why bother to go out if you can’t be bothered to engage with the people in front of you? You also see parents with children at tables and the children are on some sort of gaming device. How will they learn the art of polite conversation? Anyway, probably not a cultural difference, just an old person rant.

It does remind me of one evening, where the food described (with the wine) was so overdone, I was wondering whether or not I should applaud afterward - but then I got nudged in the side so I quelled those urges.

I have made similar observations on table interactions - although at casual places - I tend to break those rules from time to time - so I can't say too much there. I have dined with other couples and their children in similar situations. I have pretty much learned to go with the flow in the moment. I miss some of the finer experiences of conversations as you describe, but at the same time, I acknowledge things have moved on ...

 

[Buzz Rules]

Anything special happening in Ireland/UK this weekend?

 

[Buzz Rules]

I go to Disneyland California and on most visits I go into Great Moments With Mr Lincoln. Its half to escape the heat and sun and be in an air con theatre and half because I have an interest in American history and I find the animatronic Lincoln and how that whole show is put together fascinating.

I will put American pavilion/Hall of Presidents/American Experience in Florida on my YouTube watchlist and get back to you