tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post6586605105566724992..comments2024-03-27T04:28:57.505-04:00Comments on landofcandycanes: America vs. Germany Part III - Restaurants (+Write about love)Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-72911607150275881572013-04-06T13:49:39.010-04:002013-04-06T13:49:39.010-04:00I am so glad that I could make you laugh! :)
I th...I am so glad that I could make you laugh! :)<br /><br />I think I have heard about Denny's but I have never heard about the other one. I have to check that out! You are so lucky that you have such great options in your town. It really is time for us to move to a better town! I love Thai food soooo much!Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-79080904497934763942013-04-06T12:17:50.102-04:002013-04-06T12:17:50.102-04:00I'm clicking through the series on America vs....I'm clicking through the series on America vs. Germany and these all made me laugh so hard. Sometimes I want to pick my own seat too.<br /><br />Denny's and Red Robin are two big chains that typically let you order any burger on the menu and substitute a Boca burger (meatless patty) for the meat part. The hubby and I go to Red Robin so he can get a cheeseburger and I can get the Boca burger and then we're both happy. <br /><br />But other than that, I hear you on the lack of veggie options. We're lucky enough to live down the road from a great Thai place that will whip up almost any of their dishes with tofu, and now my fave pizza place added vegan cheese to their menu options!!! Plus they offer meat-free subs and salads!!! So they get all of our business now, needless to say.Martha Hokensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17911751791504233911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-69504946973389520062012-06-07T16:06:29.554-04:002012-06-07T16:06:29.554-04:00Oh, your blog sounds very interesting! I will defi...Oh, your blog sounds very interesting! I will definitely check it out! Thank you for stopping by!<br />I can imagine how shocking it was not to get free refills anymore! I did not know that there are no free refills in NYC!<br /><br />I have to try to look more important and richer! :))Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-77614605214359068622012-06-07T15:51:45.832-04:002012-06-07T15:51:45.832-04:00I saw this post linked on http://blog.kathastropha...I saw this post linked on http://blog.kathastrophal.de/ and had to check it out as an American with a restaurant review blog. I love your observations! The funniest thing to me was your mentioning how much you love free refills; I grew up in Ohio, where refills are always free, but then moved to NYC after college and found that you always have to pay for refills here. SHOCKING! It was horrifying to me, but I've since learned to like water a lot more!<br /><br />I think the thing with the seats is that the restaurant wants to choose where the most important people go. When we go to really nice places, I base how important/rich the restaurant thinks we are based on where they seat us.Unapologetically Mundanehttp://www.unapologeticallymundane.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-76267035434565640832012-06-04T23:36:20.324-04:002012-06-04T23:36:20.324-04:00Miki, that is awesome! I need to read your posts! ...Miki, that is awesome! I need to read your posts! :)) So funny that we have mentioned the same things. Haha. <br /><br />They should definitely have oil and vinegar in a kitchen. I mean, come on. That's essential!<br /><br />Sounds like restaurants in Argentina are similar to the ones in Germany. I really like to sit there as long as I ask for the check!<br /><br />Miki, I absolutely agree: tea and coffee should be in a real mug or cup. Made of porcelain or glass. <br /><br />Glad you like my music!! Such a shame that we don't live closer!!!! ahhhh!!!! :(((((Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-3791192712766230452012-06-04T22:45:40.800-04:002012-06-04T22:45:40.800-04:00OMG, Katrin!!!! I love you even more after this po...OMG, Katrin!!!! I love you even more after this post! When I first got here, I wrote a series of posts about the differences between Argentina and America, and, oh, my! We've mentioned the same things, hahaha!<br /><br />In Argentina, you generally can choose where to sit in a restaurant and the menu is very varied. I feel that here, even though the menu looks big, there's not a wide variety of dishes. And I do not like any of the million American dressings, so I usually ask for vinagrette or just oil and vinegar ... But they are very rarely able to bring it! What the heck?! Don't they have oil and vinegar in the kitchen, haha!<br /><br />Refills rock! No complaints about that, hehe.<br /><br />And oh, my! I hate Starbucks and all these ugly coffee chains! I want to enjoy my freaking coffee/tea in a decent cup of China!<br /><br />Same feeling about the check. In Argentina, you have to call the waiter when you're ready to pay. And they usually take ages to bring you the check.<br /><br />Last but not least, yay for Belle & Sebastian!!!! ;D Gosh, Katri, why don't we live closer?! :(Mikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12143809461043872782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-43698894161063726252012-06-04T09:24:54.412-04:002012-06-04T09:24:54.412-04:00Yeah, I don't care that much and just ignore u...Yeah, I don't care that much and just ignore unfriendly waiters. Haha, I can imagine that Brad was shocked. :))<br /><br />It is indeed really funny. The whole check thing drives me crazy. :))Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-66376113726839066242012-06-04T03:53:14.487-04:002012-06-04T03:53:14.487-04:00Really?! For me an unfriendly waitress can ruin my...Really?! For me an unfriendly waitress can ruin my whole dining experience :) I just hate being treated like s**t when I am paying good money. Maybe I`ve become more sensitive with Brad, because he was truly in shock with how unfriendly German service is...<br /><br />I`ve never noticed the whole check thing. I think its kind of funny how we pay attention to different things and how different things are inportant to us :)<br /><br />Cheers!Miss Sugar Shackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16235706190292980893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-52078109998765888112012-06-03T18:49:05.590-04:002012-06-03T18:49:05.590-04:00Glad you like it! :)
I hope everybody tips the wa...Glad you like it! :)<br />I hope everybody tips the waiters in a good amount! I mean, they are always nice and do a good job. <br />Yeah, I really like it that they don't put any pressure on you and that you can stay as long as you want! It is so much more relaxed!Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-58518771367936332542012-06-03T15:44:37.881-04:002012-06-03T15:44:37.881-04:00Hahaha, oh I love this.
What Megan said about the...Hahaha, oh I love this. <br />What Megan said about the seating thing is right - that's how servers make their money.<br />The thing about sitting and relaxing after your meal is so European, and I think I prefer it to the American way of get in/get out. It's so much more laid back, and you don't feel pressured.Alyxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01894357457181031723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-36294127699570465812012-06-03T14:56:11.134-04:002012-06-03T14:56:11.134-04:00Thank you! Haha, I am sure that finding out all th...Thank you! Haha, I am sure that finding out all the strange things about Germans can be funny and weird at the same time. :) I love to discover differences between the two countries. It is just so much fun!<br />And I am glad you like German restaurants and have only good experiences. :)Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-18027174281089040592012-06-03T14:54:26.832-04:002012-06-03T14:54:26.832-04:00Yeah, they have a lots of Pizza chains but I don&#...Yeah, they have a lots of Pizza chains but I don't really see many of the little Italian places you see in Germany. I am not really a big fan of those chains, they all have the same menu etc. I like to try new things. I guess I need to search somewhere else, I haven't found that kind of pizzeria here in this town.Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-51580115309984981592012-06-03T14:49:48.843-04:002012-06-03T14:49:48.843-04:00Absolutely hilarious post! I'm British, but I ...Absolutely hilarious post! I'm British, but I am encountering a lot of odd German things (probably not all that odd, if you are German) right now as we are living with my partners German mother. Lots of oddity involving a completely different relationship to food and what food is eaten when! <br /><br />I found German restaurants to be lovely though when we went, with great food and lovely service! No complaints from me!Lost Starhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02549610498663374064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-19576214398487017152012-06-03T14:42:49.537-04:002012-06-03T14:42:49.537-04:00Yes, most of the Italian restaurants here are pret...Yes, most of the Italian restaurants here are pretty nice. Hm, shouldn't there be a ton of Italian restaurants in America as well? I guess it depends on where you live. I only know restaurants where you usually just order and take the pizza home such as Domino's pizza etc. But the places themselves aren't that nice.home.garden.livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17117402191761013480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-42515360123638791072012-06-03T10:00:34.108-04:002012-06-03T10:00:34.108-04:00You are right, Chrissy, it is a completely differe...You are right, Chrissy, it is a completely different world. So maybe you can't really compare it. Haha. Maybe I was just unlucky with the waiters who brought the check while I was still eating. I don't know. But I really prefer asking for it so that I don't have to rush. <br />I really really love the Italian places in Germany. I haven't found a little, family-style pizzeria yet. :)Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-33101346911704699832012-06-03T09:57:41.909-04:002012-06-03T09:57:41.909-04:00I think the check-thing is what bothered me most. ...I think the check-thing is what bothered me most. I mean, I really don't want to be rushed and in Germany you have to ask for it and that's perfect for me. So when they bring it without asking I feel rushed and think I have to leave in the next minutes. <br /><br />You are right, it is great that American waitresses are always friendly and I don't mind that it is fake. Haha. But I also don't have a problem with grumpy waitresses. As long as my food is fine. :)Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-12252584143624204532012-06-03T09:55:08.453-04:002012-06-03T09:55:08.453-04:00I understand how the system works in America. It d...I understand how the system works in America. It does make sense to me that they want to even it out. As I have said, I have never tried to get another table and I am sure it would be no problem. I should try it someday and hopefully the waitresses won't hate me. :) I still prefer just walking inside and making my own choice.<br /><br />I am really surprised that you say that the vegetarian choices are so much better in America. :) I guess I just go to the wrong places then. I love it that I can go to any restaurant in Germany and not have to worry about finding a vegetarian meal. In America I only have that at Chinese restaurants. I have seen Italian restaurants that only had pasta with meat in it and I can't understand that. I have to search for other places. And yeah, I am definitely not a fan of restaurant chains. I am always shocked how many of these chains you have in America and that lots of people go there every single day. <br /><br />Yeah, I guess for some people free refills are really bad. :) Usually I only drink water in restaurants and most times I don't even need a refill but it is good to have an option. <br /><br />You are right, the customer service is America is excellent and there are lots of places in Europe where you don't have that. I don't really mind grumpy waitresses. :) I just want to have my food and then they can leave me alone. :)<br />It is so funny that you say that you did not want to have Europeans sitting on your tables. Haha. :) I have never noticed that Europeans are such bad tippers. I think I always tip in a perfect amount but I have to ask other Germans. :)<br /><br />Thank you so much for your comment and have a wonderful weekend!Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-38923185180307891112012-06-03T09:35:26.343-04:002012-06-03T09:35:26.343-04:00Hallo Katrin
I find this post very interesting. A...Hallo Katrin<br /><br />I find this post very interesting. Actually I never even compared dining in America with dining in Germany because it is just a different world. But thinking of it I much prefer dining in America. Of course I like the free refills although I don't really drink that much while I am eating. And I do like the concept of being seated instead of trying to find a table in a nice spot. Also I can't remember someone bringing the check unless their shift was over. And then they were always very polite (don't care if this politeness is fake or not though).<br />In general I don't like to go out for dinner in Germany anyways. At least not to really NICE places because usually I find them to be very formal and I am not comfortable with that. I like a relaxed atmosphere way better. So thumbs up for America ;)home.garden.livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17117402191761013480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-64345996353342761342012-06-03T07:28:39.488-04:002012-06-03T07:28:39.488-04:00What a interesting post!
To tell you the truth, ...What a interesting post! <br /><br />To tell you the truth, I prefer american restaurants over German restaurants any time!!!<br />Its never happened to me that somebody has brought the check while we were still eating unless they were changing shifts and then they were rather appologetic. It has happened to me in Germany and they werent very nice about it then...<br /><br />What bothers me most about Germany restaurants is that the waiters are so unfriendly! I know that the friendlyness of american waiters is mostly fake, but I still enjoy it ;)<br /><br />Cheers, <br />Miss Sugar ShackMiss Sugar Shackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16235706190292980893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-2753502995238067792012-06-03T03:33:18.681-04:002012-06-03T03:33:18.681-04:00lol this cracked me up so much!!! i waitressed fo...lol this cracked me up so much!!! i waitressed for years and laughed so hard when i read this :) it is cool to see it from a foreigners point of view!<br /><br />i can tell you though why there are hostesses at restaurants that seat you. in the US, waitresses live off of tips. so if you can choose your section of where you want to sit as a guest, then you may all end up in one persons section and other people may not make their tips. the hostesses even it out and sit people accordingly so at the end of a shift, all the waitresses have an even chance to make tips. usually guests dont care where they sit in a restaurant and if they do, they'll tell the hostess where they want to sit and the hostess will sit them there and switch around seating rotation. we don't mind it here and poeple understand waitresses and servers live off of tips.<br /><br />im so shocked you have issues finding vegetarian options! america is king for that! i struggle with it in germany ALOT when im there (im not a vegetarian but i often eat vegetarian meals when at restaurants)...and in europe in general. scandinavia doesnt have any vegetarian options either. i think youre eating at the wrong places in the US LOL. even europeans tell me all the time that is one of their fav things about the US...vegetarian options at restaurants and even stores. in fact, when im home this summer that is one thing i look forward to most! but im not a chain restaurant eater...i prefer restaurants that are one-offs.<br /><br />its funny even though i say i miss free refills at restaurants sometimes, i dont. i think america should stop free refills (except water obviously) because it would help portion control better. and maybe people would lose weight ;)<br /><br />and another thing i miss is good customer service. when im in europe i want to cry at how horrible restaurant service is. but people here dont live off of tips really...they get a salary for working. not in the US. they have to earn their tips which means they are generally better in customer service and more attentive to tables. when i waitressed and we noticed europeans coming in the restaurant we would all fight to not have them sat in our section because they generally tip sooo horribly! i think they dont know people are living from strictly tips and nothing else! <br /><br />i honestly cant say that there is anything i really like more about norwegian restaurants than american. the customer service is terrible here (just like most places in europe), the food is overpriced, and if your meal turns out wrong, they like NEVER give it for free. they discount it....its such a shame. they are definitely not 100% customer service. hence why i rarely eat at a restaurant here ;)<br /><br />hope youre having a great weekend!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-66048818639832436392012-06-02T23:56:05.325-04:002012-06-02T23:56:05.325-04:00Haha, that is so funny! Bacon is no meat, you can ...Haha, that is so funny! Bacon is no meat, you can really eat that, Abbey! :)Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-36707018109679153652012-06-02T23:41:26.089-04:002012-06-02T23:41:26.089-04:00Funny story about the salad thing. I'm veggie ...Funny story about the salad thing. I'm veggie and we drove through Wendy's on a family trip one time and, worried about accidentally ordering meat, I had my mom ask if any of the salads didn't have meat. The girl working the drive through window said something like, "The side salad. But it does have bacon." Ummm... Well, meat would be bad, but bacon I'm ok with... Not! Ha. :)Abbeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948297262692781527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-35766744902209269932012-06-02T20:24:14.688-04:002012-06-02T20:24:14.688-04:00Haha, I am sure every soccer nation will disagree!...Haha, I am sure every soccer nation will disagree! :))Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-8974239854242703632012-06-02T20:21:17.758-04:002012-06-02T20:21:17.758-04:00I hate the check thing too booooo! I would disagre...I hate the check thing too booooo! I would disagree with you on the best soccer team...I think Argentina has the best soccer team. ;-)Andi of My Beautiful Adventureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18255015430958927483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976575256558816155.post-38668004221271140872012-06-02T19:45:40.605-04:002012-06-02T19:45:40.605-04:001. I can understand that Americans feel completely...1. I can understand that Americans feel completely different about this. I mean, I think it just depends on how you grew up. I am used to not having to wait to be seated and I kind of like that. :)<br />2. It is indeed meat heavy! But I am sure I will be able to find some places with a better selection for me. <br />3. Ice is really annoying for me sometimes. You can read that in part I of the post. :)<br />4. I think it was a Chinese buffet...<br />5. Haha, yeah, I think so!<br />You're welcome! :) And yeah, that's alright! Thank you!Katrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200118828260732172noreply@blogger.com