Dining Differences

While there are some differences in the way Americans set their tables, and the tools they use - this is not something that you should feel compelled to change yourself. Americans don't really set much importance on dining etiquette and differences, so you can feel comfortable with doing your own thing. Here are some of the differences you might notice.

• The first thing you'll notice, is that Americans don't use cutlery/silverware in the same way as Aussies do. Aussies will nearly always eat a meal with their knife and fork - using the knife for cutting and pushing food onto their fork. However, Americans will generally use their knife for cutting only - putting it down when they're not using it. Often they will use the edge of their fork for cutting too, in preference to a knife.
• You won't often see "soup spoons" in America. They use the oval-shaped "dessert-spoons" for soup too.
• Bread-and-butter plates are seldom used in America, while many Aussies don't feel that the table is set without them. If you really need one and there isn't one available, just use the edge of your dinner plate to butter your roll.
• Dessert is not often served in a bowl - usually a small plate. And more often than not, it's served with a fork, not a spoon.
• When going out to eat in a restaurant, it's the American norm to eat the meal and then leave - the table is needed for more people. No sitting around for hours afterwards as in Australia - although it's quite acceptable to linger over an after-dinner coffee or drink.
• Decision, decisions! When you order a meal in a restaurant or fast-food diner, be prepared to make lots of decisions really fast. You'll be asked what sort of bread you want, dressing choices, cheese choices, how you want it cooked, and more. A good strategy is to come right back and ask what the choices are. That gives you the information you'll need to make the choices. They are usually all too happy to tell you what's available.
• Restaurants will serve your salad before your main meal, not with it. If you'd prefer your salad with your main meal, it's quite ok to ask for it that way.
• Sometimes restaurants will serve their salads drowned in its dressing, which is not very palatable to the Australian taste. Get used to asking for the dressing "on the side".
• Potato chips are commonly served with a salad or soup, or a "sandwich". A sandwich is often means a burger of some sort, not the "two pieces of bread with filling" as Australians are used to.
• It is common to be given a glass of water with your meal, in addition to the drink you ordered.
• While language differences will be discussed in-depth further down, be aware that in America the equivalent of the Australian "Main Course", is called an "Entree". They call "Entrees", "Appetizers".
• Unless you want to get a confused look, don't ask for "black" or "white" coffee. Use the terms, "with cream" or "no cream". Incidentally, "cream" is simply milk.
• Sometimes you'll see Americans putting their dessert on the same plate as their main meal. While this is not 'common' practice, it is done often enough that most Aussies have seen it. So you might see 'chocolate pudding' put on the same plate as mashed potatoes and gravy! Rest your mind though - there is absolutely no requirement that you follow suit. Just avert your eyes and keep eating Aussie-style. :)
• In many American fast-food chains, it is required that you clear your own table after eating. However, in these restaurants you are not expected to tip.

Reader Feedback on this Topic

• Yes Yes Yes. Everything you have written is completely true! I am hopelessly and utterly homesick and my American husband found this site for me to gain a better understanding of American Culture. Not one thing written on your website is untrue or misrepresented. As an Aussie living in the USA , outside of the amjor cities LA, NY and Oprahgo, I can assure you that the differences between cultures are astronomical, it may not seem that way from the outset, but it is so.
  Thankyou for writing so diligently about it and giving a fair, honest and unbiased comparison. - Abigail
• Where are you eating that you're not being given a soup spoon??? I've never heard of such a thing. (Except maybe in a private home, where not everyone has all the silverware variations on hand). Seriously though, most if not all restaurants should have proper soup spoons!- Rene'

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