My Two Cents: Cultural Differences at Restaurants

When eating out in the USA, we would typically sit down, the waitress would take our drink orders, quickly bring us our drinks and take our food orders. We would wait a few minutes and all of our dishes would come out at the exact  same time (or close to it).
In China I feel like I am Alice in Wonderland, where everything is backwards and doesn't make sense.
I have been to dinner where we all order drinks and only a few of us get our can of Coca-Cola. The entrees are all brought out at different times usually ten to fifteen minutes apart, and usually they don't bring out at least one or two dishes at all, although they try to bill you for everything.

We have also gotten into arguments with the waitress when we order if  we are with a bunch of people. When eating with a large group two of us might order the same thing. The waitress or waiter will say "they already ordered that dish. We say we know but we want a second dish. They argue and argue  and they usually won't let us order it until we ask for their boss. It is so annoying. I know these things are cultural but they make eating out, especially eating out with a large group a hassle.

In China, they eat dinner family style, meaning they put a dish in the middle of the table and everyone helps themselves. People don't order their own entree. Thus, the food can come out sporadically because everyone gets a bit of something. I also think the waitresses argue about bringing out two of the same dishes because they think one should be plenty for everyone to share. I haven't figured out why they only bring out a few cans of Coca-Cola though.

One nice thing about the Chinese waitresses is that they like to play with my kids and occupy them so I can actually eat and have a conversation with my husband.

We have also ran into problems at McDonalds and KFC. When we order the bucket of chicken or meal it comes with a drink. In their pictures and on the menu it is a picture of Coca-Cola. We have asked for Sprite (and mind you my husband speaks excellent Chinese so there are not communication issues) and they tell us, the menu says Coca-Cola, that is all that comes with it. They will not substitute for Sprite! We have gotten bosses involved and they don't budge "the menu says Coca-Cola". So we usually have to order separate drinks or bring our own into the restaurant.

I think this happens because the Chinese don't know how to solve problems, think for themselves, etc. They have to look things up in their process book or be told what to do by someone in authority.

At fast food joints you are supposed to leave your tray and trash on the table. It is someone's job to throw it away and it is offensive to throw it away yourself.

The cost of napkins are charged to your bill.

You don't tip in China. Tipping indicates they are underpaid and is considered offensive.