Food, Diet, & Restaurant Culture in America American Society & Culture

True or False: The major food at meals in America is bread.The major food at meals in America is bread. Many Americans enjoy eating food from different countries.Many Americans enjoy eating food from different countries. Americans prefer drinking coffee to tea.Americans prefer drinking coffee to tea. The most common fast food in America is KFC.The most common fast food in America is KFC. Most Americans usually eat meals at restaurants because it is more convenient.Most Americans usually eat meals at restaurants because it is more convenient. At American restaurants, it is necessary to give the waiter or waitress some extra money for their help.At American restaurants, it is necessary to give the waiter or waitress some extra money for their help. The major food at meals in America is bread.The major food at meals in America is bread. Many Americans enjoy eating food from different countries.Many Americans enjoy eating food from different countries. Americans prefer drinking coffee to tea.Americans prefer drinking coffee to tea. The most common fast food in America is KFC.The most common fast food in America is KFC. Most Americans usually eat meals at restaurants because it is more convenient.Most Americans usually eat meals at restaurants because it is more convenient. At American restaurants, it is necessary to give the waiter or waitress some extra money for their help.At American restaurants, it is necessary to give the waiter or waitress some extra money for their help.

Americans love to eat hamburgers and pizza… and steak, of course. We eat bread at every meal, and we drink Coca Cola when we are thirsty. We don’t drink tea; we like coffee instead. We often go to KFC when we are hungry, and if we want to eat vegetables, we eat a salad. Right? NO! These are sometimes true, but these are mostly just myths about American food culture.Americans love to eat hamburgers and pizza… and steak, of course. We eat bread at every meal, and we drink Coca Cola when we are thirsty. We don’t drink tea; we like coffee instead. We often go to KFC when we are hungry, and if we want to eat vegetables, we eat a salad. Right? NO! These are sometimes true, but these are mostly just myths about American food culture. Hey, you! Pay attention! This is important!

The Most Important Thing… Above all, it’s important to remember that the value of individuality extends even into our choices in food.Above all, it’s important to remember that the value of individuality extends even into our choices in food. Every person is different. We come from different cultures and place different values on our personal health.Every person is different. We come from different cultures and place different values on our personal health. Some people embrace fast food & sugary drinks, while other people eat food that is much more healthy, shopping at special health food stores.Some people embrace fast food & sugary drinks, while other people eat food that is much more healthy, shopping at special health food stores. Many people have a large amount of medical knowledge & are very informed about the health of food.Many people have a large amount of medical knowledge & are very informed about the health of food.

America, The “Melting Pot” You may have heard America called a “melting pot,” a phrase that refers to the different cultures that make up America.You may have heard America called a “melting pot,” a phrase that refers to the different cultures that make up America. One result of this mixing of cultures is a huge variety of international foods. Americans commonly enjoy food from:One result of this mixing of cultures is a huge variety of international foods. Americans commonly enjoy food from: –Korea –Italy –China –Vietnam –Spain -Thailand-Mexico-Jamaica-Portugal-Japan -and many more places!

America, The “Melting Pot” Here are some photos of restaurants that can be found in a food court in America:Here are some photos of restaurants that can be found in a food court in America: Lexingtoncenter.com Beverlycenter.com Ocmexfood.blogspot.com Rubythai.com

Okay, So what on earth do we eat? Let’s take a look at some common breakfast foods: Toast, Bagels, Fruit, Oatmeal, Eggs, CerealToast, Bagels, Fruit, Oatmeal, Eggs, Cereal Docksidegq.com

Signsoflightstore.net Cereal

And some common lunch foods: Almost everyone eats lunch outside of their homes, because home and school/ work are usually far away, and there is no noon rest.Almost everyone eats lunch outside of their homes, because home and school/ work are usually far away, and there is no noon rest. Because of the high price of restaurants, which we’ll talk about later, many people choose to pack a lunch from home.Because of the high price of restaurants, which we’ll talk about later, many people choose to pack a lunch from home. Still, some business people choose to go to restaurants for lunch, or students or workers may choose to eat in the school or company cafeteria.Still, some business people choose to go to restaurants for lunch, or students or workers may choose to eat in the school or company cafeteria. Almost everyone eats lunch outside of their homes, because home and school/ work are usually far away, and there is no noon rest.Almost everyone eats lunch outside of their homes, because home and school/ work are usually far away, and there is no noon rest. Because of the high price of restaurants, which we’ll talk about later, many people choose to pack a lunch from home.Because of the high price of restaurants, which we’ll talk about later, many people choose to pack a lunch from home. Still, some business people choose to go to restaurants for lunch, or students or workers may choose to eat in the school or company cafeteria.Still, some business people choose to go to restaurants for lunch, or students or workers may choose to eat in the school or company cafeteria.

And some common lunch foods: People really eat anything they’d like for lunch. Many people choose sandwiches, some fruit, and some vegetables. Sometimes people choose to eat salad or leftovers from the previous night’s dinner.People really eat anything they’d like for lunch. Many people choose sandwiches, some fruit, and some vegetables. Sometimes people choose to eat salad or leftovers from the previous night’s dinner. Oneroastchicken.wordpress.com

And some common dinner foods: For dinner/ supper, some families choose to go out to a restaurant to eat. Many families eat at home and prepare any food they like, usually including some meat, vegetables, and grains.For dinner/ supper, some families choose to go out to a restaurant to eat. Many families eat at home and prepare any food they like, usually including some meat, vegetables, and grains. Healthyfoodandfitness.com

Let’s Clear Up Some Misunderstandings. Basically, when we talk about another culture’s food, it’s natural to compare it to the food of our own culture. Sometimes it looks the same or we have a food in our culture that we call the same name. But sometimes this comparison leads to some big misunderstandings. Let’s talk about some big differences between what Chinese people often think of when they hear a word about food, and what that word actually means to Americans.Basically, when we talk about another culture’s food, it’s natural to compare it to the food of our own culture. Sometimes it looks the same or we have a food in our culture that we call the same name. But sometimes this comparison leads to some big misunderstandings. Let’s talk about some big differences between what Chinese people often think of when they hear a word about food, and what that word actually means to Americans.

#1: “Picnics” & “Barbecues” Chinese people think: Americans Think: Chinese people think: Americans Think: Psuturfclub.blogspot.com Motherearthnews.com

#2: Biscuits Chinese students use the word “biscuits” to refer to many kinds of food. Americans have so, so many words for these kinds of foods. Biscuits is only one kind. To name just a few: Pancakes Crackers Cookies Biscuits Chinese students use the word “biscuits” to refer to many kinds of food. Americans have so, so many words for these kinds of foods. Biscuits is only one kind. To name just a few: Pancakes Crackers Cookies Biscuits Thefreshloaf.com Stonybrookcookie.com bbb.org Cliccoaching.wordpress.com

#3: Cake Cake is one of those things that mostly looks the same from the outside, but tastes very very different between our two cultures. American cakes are sweeter and more rich in flavor. The icing (Chinese students often call this “cream”) is also sweeter and heavier on American cakes. America has many, many flavors of cakes. Bouldersnaturalanimal.com

#4: Noodles & Pasta “Noodles” has a very broad meaning in English. “Noodles” has a very broad meaning in English. China-mike.com Italian noodles= “Pasta”

#5: Salad Things you need to know about “salad”: We eat lots of other vegetables besides salad.We eat lots of other vegetables besides salad. Stores sell many kinds of dressing (sauce) for salads. Many are fat free to make it healthier. The stuff called “salad dressing” in the Chinese supermarket is not true salad dressing.Stores sell many kinds of dressing (sauce) for salads. Many are fat free to make it healthier. The stuff called “salad dressing” in the Chinese supermarket is not true salad dressing. Many people put meat, fruit, nuts, seeds, etc. on top of their salad to make it a complete meal.Many people put meat, fruit, nuts, seeds, etc. on top of their salad to make it a complete meal. Things you need to know about “salad”: We eat lots of other vegetables besides salad.We eat lots of other vegetables besides salad. Stores sell many kinds of dressing (sauce) for salads. Many are fat free to make it healthier. The stuff called “salad dressing” in the Chinese supermarket is not true salad dressing.Stores sell many kinds of dressing (sauce) for salads. Many are fat free to make it healthier. The stuff called “salad dressing” in the Chinese supermarket is not true salad dressing. Many people put meat, fruit, nuts, seeds, etc. on top of their salad to make it a complete meal.Many people put meat, fruit, nuts, seeds, etc. on top of their salad to make it a complete meal. Ivu.org

#6: “Sour” Food Chinese people think: Americans Often Think: Chinese people think: Americans Often Think: ojavanproducts.com ulinarytravel.about.com

#7: Bread Bread is one of those things that looks pretty similar in China and America. But the taste… very different! Bread in American isn’t sweet. Also, American bread is often whole grain (so it can be a very healthy part of one’s diet. Bread in American isn’t sweet. Also, American bread is often whole grain ( 全麦 ) so it can be a very healthy part of one’s diet. Bread is one of those things that looks pretty similar in China and America. But the taste… very different! Bread in American isn’t sweet. Also, American bread is often whole grain (so it can be a very healthy part of one’s diet. Bread in American isn’t sweet. Also, American bread is often whole grain ( 全麦 ) so it can be a very healthy part of one’s diet.

#8: Sandwiches Chinese people think: Americans Think: Chinese people think: Americans Think: Dvo.com

#9: “Juice” “Juice” in China is almost always a fruit-flavored, sugary drink that contains a small percentage of actual fruit juice. We have this kind of drink in America, too, but “juice” usually refers to a drink that is made with real fruit and is sometimes 100% fruit juice. “Juice” in China is almost always a fruit-flavored, sugary drink that contains a small percentage of actual fruit juice. We have this kind of drink in America, too, but “juice” usually refers to a drink that is made with real fruit and is sometimes 100% fruit juice. Healthandfitnesstalk.com

#10: “Snacks” Often, my Chinese friends think of “snacks” as being a cheap and usually unhealthy thing to eat when hungry. In America, we have plenty of unhealthy snacks, but sometimes snacks are very healthy and/ or very expensive. Sometimes when friends get together, they choose to eat really nice snacks instead of a meal. We use the word “snacks” to refer to just anything we eat between meals, such as fruit or nuts. Often, my Chinese friends think of “snacks” as being a cheap and usually unhealthy thing to eat when hungry. In America, we have plenty of unhealthy snacks, but sometimes snacks are very healthy and/ or very expensive. Sometimes when friends get together, they choose to eat really nice snacks instead of a meal. We use the word “snacks” to refer to just anything we eat between meals, such as fruit or nuts. Scjohnson.com

#11: Milk Chinese milk is so different from American milk. This was one of the hardest food-related things to adjust to when coming to China. Explanation… Also, in America it is not as common to have so many different flavors of milk at the supermarket. A few are available, but usually the milk has no added sugar or flavor so it can be as healthy as possible. Milk is not sold in boxes in America. Chinese milk is so different from American milk. This was one of the hardest food-related things to adjust to when coming to China. Explanation… Also, in America it is not as common to have so many different flavors of milk at the supermarket. A few are available, but usually the milk has no added sugar or flavor so it can be as healthy as possible. Milk is not sold in boxes in America. Consumer.darigold.com

#12: Hot Dogs Hot dogs taste and smell pretty different, even though they look about the same in China and America. Also, in America they are most often served on a “bun,” or “roll,” a kind of bread. We sometimes add some vegetables to the top and eat it like a sandwich. Hot dogs taste and smell pretty different, even though they look about the same in China and America. Also, in America they are most often served on a “bun,” or “roll,” a kind of bread. We sometimes add some vegetables to the top and eat it like a sandwich. Blogs.sfweekly.com

Some American Classics… Let’s talk a little bit about a few foods that are well-loved in America…Let’s talk a little bit about a few foods that are well-loved in America…

Classic #1: Chocolate Chip Cookies Nytimes.com

Classic #2: Hamburgers Free-extras.com

Classic #3: Apple Pie Bhg.com Wallchan.com

Classic #4: Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich (PB & J) Creoleindc.typepad.com Peanut Butter: 花生酱 Jelly: 果酱

Classic #5: Macaroni & Cheese Janellebreese.blogspot.com

A Few Other Words/ Notes About Food… Comfort Food Finger Food Fast Food Tauntonstore.com Seattlefoodgeek.com Said-fartat.blogspot.com

A Few Other Words/ Notes About Food… Oven GrillDishwasher Denverappliancerepairservice.com Stainlesssteeloven.org Grillsdirect.com

Restaurants in America: “Eating Out” There are plenty of fast food restaurants in America. Some people visit these and prices are usually between 5 and 10 dollars/ person (= RMB).There are plenty of fast food restaurants in America. Some people visit these and prices are usually between 5 and 10 dollars/ person (= RMB). Most regular restaurants cost around 12 to 25 dollars per person (= RMB).Most regular restaurants cost around 12 to 25 dollars per person (= RMB). At any restaurant that is not a fast food restaurant, you are expected to leave a tip ( 小费 ). The tip should be 18% of the bill. For example, if your bill was $50, you are expected to leave a $9 tip.At any restaurant that is not a fast food restaurant, you are expected to leave a tip ( 小费 ). The tip should be 18% of the bill. For example, if your bill was $50, you are expected to leave a $9 tip.