Dining out in the United States sure is a lot of fun yet it’s also quite a unique experience—and it’s all thanks to those practices that tend to confuse us! Of course, it’s not all restaurants but some American restaurant customs are enough to make your meal less enjoyable. Here are ten specific traditions unique to American eateries that many people feel push the boundaries. Rather than simply minor quirks, they’re issues that a lot of people think just aren’t right!
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Constant Server Interruptions
Most American restaurants have servers that check on you quite frequently—sometimes every few minutes—and while they’re trying to be attentive, it really disrupts your conversation. Just when you’re about to take a bite or share a story, the server appears to ask if everything’s okay. Of course, we appreciate good service but these constant interruptions are rather excessive and make it hard to fully enjoy your dining experience!
Aggressive Upselling of Menu Items
The staff often act more like salespeople than servers because as soon as you sit down, they start suggesting appetizers, specialty drinks & desserts. You might hear, “Our chef recommends the shrimp cocktail to start,” or “Would you like to add a side salad to that?” and such a constant push to order more gets quite overwhelming. It leaves you feeling pressured to spend more than you intended, which makes a relaxing meal into a series of sales pitches.
Limited Dining Time
Some restaurants in the States have a policy where they limit how long you can keep your table, especially during busy hours—so they’ll tell you upon arrival that you have 90 minutes to dine. It might sound like a lot but it leaves you feeling rushed & constantly checking the time instead of savoring your meal. Your leisurely dinner has become a race against the clock and that’s rather annoying for those who enjoy lingering over dessert or engaging in long conversations.
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Refusing to Seat Incomplete Parties
Many places also won’t seat your group until everyone has arrived—even with empty tables in sight, you’ll have to wait near the entrance until your entire party is present. It’s particularly frustrating when someone in your group is running late because you’re unable to sit comfortably & order a drink while you wait. You’re left standing around which makes the beginning of your dining experience less enjoyable and it seems unnecessarily strict.
Prices Listed Without Tax Included
The prices on the menus in America usually don’t include tax and so when the bill arrives, it’s higher than what you might have calculated—that’s quite surprising for visitors who are used to tax-inclusive pricing. As a result, it’s hard to keep track of your spending and you might end up paying more than you planned, making dining far more complicated than it needs to be. The prices should be exactly what they say on the menu rather than an afterthought.
Charging for Basic Condiments
You might also need to pay for extra ketchup & dressing in some restaurants and simply paying for a small cup of sauce that you’d expect to be complimentary feels rather stingy. Of course, it’s usually just a dollar or two—but these little fees add up and leave a sour taste. You’re already paying for a meal so having to pay extra for something as simple as ketchup seems unnecessary.
Charging Fees for Credit Card Payments
Most people rely on credit or debit cards for payments but some U.S. restaurants tack on an extra fee when you pay with a card instead of cash—such a surcharge gets quite surprising when it’s time to settle the bill. It feels unfair to be penalized for using a common payment method, even if it’s something the restaurants do to cover the card fees. Yet that cost shouldn’t fall back on us and the restaurants should pay the fees themselves!
Enforcing Unannounced Dress Codes
Showing up to a restaurant and being told you can’t be seated because of what you’re wearing is an unpleasant surprise that has happened to far too many of us. Some establishments enforce strict dress codes—but fail to mention them when you make a reservation or check their website. It’s enough to spoil a night out and especially if you’re celebrating a special event since it feels rather embarrassing when they turn you away.
Restroom Attendants Expecting Tips
Some high-end restaurants have restroom attendants that’ll give you a towel or a mint and it seems like a nice touch—but they’re often expecting a tip in return. Anyone not carrying small bills is bound to feel awkward since they’re often pressured to give money for a service they didn’t really need or request. You may even feel uncomfortable because you’re just trying to enjoy your meal without additional costs.
Mandatory Self-Service Ordering
Don’t even get us started on the restaurants that expect you to place your order using a touchscreen kiosk or tablet, with little to no help from staff—it feels so impersonal! These places remove the human interaction that many of us enjoy when dining out, making the dining experience feel more like a transaction than a pleasant outing. It’s no wonder that we feel less satisfied with our meals and especially when they have the gall to ask for a tip.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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