"On the Side"

I have very bad acid reflux, and I have to be careful about certain sauces(I'm also a picky eater, but I'm trying not to sound like a "spoilt American" ), so I asked for a sauce "on the side" when I was in a restaurant in Yorkshire. They looked at me like I was from another planet.

Please tell me it was an isolated experience?! :-/

It's not so much that they don't do it, but it's the wording that you used.  'On the side' means 'on the work counter' or 'on the table'.  In future just ask to have it separately or 'in a separate bowl'.  

I think most people would understand what you meant by 'on the side', especially if you make a 'small bowl' type gesture when you say it!

However, Mindy is right... i say 'on the side' to refer to a long wooden storage unit we have in our dining area... a sort of substitute sideboard, which is what 'side' is short for!

Thanks!!

Also, Snupy, "on the side" has a rather less innocent meaning here - it can mean an illicit relationship, as in "She? Oh she's his bit on the side" - said of a married man's mistress, for example!

And Broxi, sign language does help with the natives here (particularly Amerindian sign language - though beware the sign for "White man he speak with forked tongue!), as does speaking loudly and repeating everything in a slow, distinctive manner! - Only kidding !!!  

Also, Snupy, "on the side" has a rather less innocent meaning here - it can mean an illicit relationship, as in "She? Oh she's his bit on the side" - said of a married man's mistress, for example!

We have that saying in the US as well Howard dear So is this one less innocent meanings that we can blame on you Brits aye?   hehehehehehehe

Ah, I wondered if you might have, dear Rhia!  But I should have pointed out the childish (some might say pathetic!) delight that Brits take in innuendos and double-entendres and general verbal tom-foolery! It can become very tedious after a while, even for us!

 

Ah, I wondered if you might have, dear Rhia!  But I should have pointed out the childish (some might say pathetic!) delight that Brits take in innuendos and double-entendres and general verbal tom-foolery! It can become very tedious after a while, even for us!

No worries silly man   When we go out  next time before we venture across the pond again,and the server says "what sides do you want with that?" I will be thinking of what our dear Howard had to say on the matter   hehehehe
  Two gran' tren.?? then  

And Broxi, sign language does help with the natives here (particularly Amerindian sign language - though beware the sign for "White man he speak with forked tongue!), as does speaking loudly and repeating everything in a slow, distinctive manner! - Only kidding !!!  

Terribly amusing.  
Picture the scenario... 'sauce on the side, please', American accent, and hands sort of pointing to the side of the plate.  I'm not saying it's right, but... You know it would work!  

Ooops...looks like I will have to break that habit!

Haven't they ever seen When Harry Met Sally, though??

I have very bad acid reflux, and I have to be careful about certain sauces(I'm also a picky eater, but I'm trying not to sound like a "spoilt American" ), so I asked for a sauce "on the side" when I was in a restaurant in Yorkshire. They looked at me like I was from another planet.

Please tell me it was an isolated experience?! :-/

Yes, but what Snupy neglected to mention was that on a separate occasion she was asking an Italian waiter for something saucy on the side!  
~ Whatever hand gestering was used she was on risky ground!  

Whilst on the subject of things on the side!

Ketchup with scrambled egg Is that an American thing or just weird?  
  ~ If my S.O. sees this, Sorry Dear, but I needed to ask!  

It's an American thing.  Maybe even a southern thing to eat ketchup on eggs.  My dad does this maily with fried egg sandwiches.  

I don't think its primarily southern, as we do it up north in Maine.   mmmmm!
 
Eggs just seem so bland without a bit of ketchup!
Though people tend to either love it or be disgusted by it.

Well mine does it, the ketchup on egg thing, and she originates from Chicago ~ So all we need is someone from the west coast US and it'll be pretty conclusive that it's all over America ~ So it's not that weird, just American though!