Etiquette

When I was a little girl in the 60's and 70's, there were no McDonald's where I lived.  French fries were thick pieces of potato, not those skinny over-salted things you get at McDonald's, and you ate them with a fork.  So even though I am American, I was ingrained with the idea that you eat fries with a fork.  I really don't like the whole fast-food-culture idea of eating everything with your hands, including the KFC-created idea of eating chicken with your hands then licking the grease off your fingers. Yuck!

In England, you sit down, have your entree

Now, there's an americanism that confused me. How it that the entree?

The word means "entrance".

Aperitif
Entree
Plat Principaux
Dessert

Surely it a starter

Yep! Whenever I slip & call the main course my 'entree' over here (UK) - hubby says, 'Whaaat?!' I would say it's an Americanism. I found other definition sources:  in North American English, the main course of a meal; elsewhere (and in its French usage), the first course or appetizer.  Alternatively, it can mean a second course (often fish) served before the main course, or even a course served between the fish course & the main course.

We went to La Tasca for tapas, but it wasnt for a wee afternoon snack; we had intended that this was going to be our main meal of the day, so we were going to order lots of different dishes and experiment with some new things that we'd never tried before.
So, there we are, waiter stood at our table taking our order, and as we started to order the 5th dish (these are tapas... tiny portions, mind!), the guy goes 'no, no, no... that's enough', and i was like 'no, we want more' and he kept saying it was too many dishes.  I explained that this is our main meal, and we wanted to order a couple more dishes, so he reluctantly (!) took our order, but i was left thinking 'f*cksake!!'

OMG! That is so bad! Thats is probably the worst waiter story i have ever heard!

OMG! That is so bad! Thats is probably the worst waiter story i have ever heard!

Sort of like the 'Soup Nazi'!   (Seinfeld reference)

Sort of like the 'Soup Nazi'!   (Seinfeld reference)

lol. my all time favorite episode!

lol. my all time favorite episode!

well that's a good one...but also it's hard to beat the 'master of my domain' episode too

Otter, he saved you from certain boak, however.  That food was wretched.  Oh, man!  Even the tatties were nasty.  Tatties!    I didn't realise there was a way to botch those.  Till I went to La Tasca.  Yuk.

In England, you sit down, have your entree, pay for your meal, and leave.  The entree isn't any smaller than an American entree, you just don't get rolls, soup, salad, etc.  (At least that's how I've observed it.)

and you wait and you wait and you wait... and if you want to PAY  to  leave they still  make you wait!!DH warned me early on you can never have a  quick lunch  in the UK..

Belindaloo--wow!!  when are your  eating etiquette classes starting?? I would seriously like to learn how to  "do"  dinner "correctly" like that.. I know I must be  "heavy handed  and unattractive"   to  the brits around me..   I would  cook!! 

Another etiquette thing -

Is it considered rude or American to cut up all or most of your food, then eat?  I don't always do that, but sometimes if, for example, I get about two thirds through a steak I'll just cut up the rest and put my knife down.

Not rude precisely, but showing lack of "good breeding" or social graces.  On par with someone who takes a dinner roll, slices it in half and spreads butter over the two halves.

Rosie

So if you don't say "Sir"? What do you say if you want to draw someone's attention if you don't know their name?

Also, on the subject of etiquette, what do you say if someone is unintentionally blocking your way, and you want to pass? I understand that Brits find "excuse me" insulting. I don't mean a rude "get out of my way!", just a polite way of asking someone to step aside a little so you can get by.
 

So if you don't say "Sir"? What do you say if you want to draw someone's attention if you don't know their name?

Also, on the subject of etiquette, what do you say if someone is unintentionally blocking your way, and you want to pass? I understand that Brits find "excuse me" insulting. I don't mean a rude "get out of my way!", just a polite way of asking someone to step aside a little so you can get by.
 

I usually say "Oops! Pardon!"
And folks usually see they are blocking and move. Sometimes it doesn't work well, though and I have to combine it with a shoulder touch or a "Can I pass you?"

Giving them a nice smile, of course. I'm forever having to get past Mum's with buggys in our small bookshop. Sometimes a little smile and patience goes a long way.

I always say "excuse me". I never got any weird looks or anything. They just move out of the way and say "oh sorry".

Not rude precisely, but showing lack of "good breeding" or social graces.  On par with someone who takes a dinner roll, slices it in half and spreads butter over the two halves.

Rosie

Oh dear. I do this!
 Well, I butter it one half at a time, but I'm sensing this is a no-no as well? I also tend to cut up all my meat while I'm at it.

So, small reminder to everyone. Don't invite me to dinner, I'll only embarrass you and myself! 

Oh dear. I do this!
 Well, I butter it one half at a time, but I'm sensing this is a no-no as well? I also tend to cut up all my meat while I'm at it.

So, small reminder to everyone. Don't invite me to dinner, I'll only embarrass you and myself! 

Its OK! Come to my house for dinner...you can cut up your meat and I can eat with my fingers while my husband eats both buttered halves of is roll! 

Its OK! Come to my house for dinner...you can cut up your meat and I can eat with my fingers while my husband eats both buttered halves of is roll!

Sounds great, Pebbles! I promise I won't belch! (Ok, ok. It's because my brothers tried to teach me but I never learned hehe)