12 Annoying Habits of Americans Dining Abroad

Eating out at a local restaurant is one of the chief joys of any vacation, allowing us to get a literal taste of the popular flavors and distinct dishes of the region we’re exploring.

Of course, it’s not always easy navigating the ins and outs of dining abroad, with many Americans committing a few mistakes in their culinary adventures, much to the chagrin of the locals in the area.

Eating a Fast Meal

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life in America, it’s customary for most Americans to scarf down their meals, pay their bill, and clear out of a restaurant as quickly as possible.

In most other countries, though, dining is seen as a unique, pleasurable experience meant to be enjoyed rather than simply rushed through. In France, for example, the idea of blitzing your way through a multi-course meal is a serious faux pas, potentially even offending the chef and wait staff who have worked so hard preparing your meal in the first place.

Expecting Your Bill To Come Quickly

As an extension of the whole eat-fast-and-get-going mindset that characterizes most Americans’ worldview, many American tourists might expect their bill to come moments after finishing their last bite of food.

However, many countries tend to avoid bringing the check until their waiters are specifically asked to do so. In these countries, it’s considered somewhat rude to bring the bill without being prompted, as it might seem like the restaurant staff are rushing diners out the door without giving them a chance to fully digest and enjoy themselves.

Assuming You’ll Get Free Refills

In most American eateries, it’s customary for non-alcoholic beverages to incorporate a bottomless glass policy, allowing diners to get their hearty fill of multiple sodas free of additional charge.

To most Americans’ surprise, however, it’s very rare to venture outside the U.S. and find a place that offers free refills. Most international restaurants offer sodas by the glass.

Asking for To-Go Containers

For many places across the globe, meals are meant to be eaten at the actual restaurant, allowing the wait staff and chefs to usher in an unforgettable dining experience the moment you walk through the front doors.

Because of this, it’s a little more beneficial to dine in at restaurants rather than getting your meals to go, glorying in the atmosphere of a restaurant setting rather than hustling out with your to-go coffee or takeout pasta.

Using a Laptop While Eating

Imagine going to a fancier Parisian restaurant and sitting next to someone furiously banging away at a laptop keyboard.

In most cultures, going out to eat is a pleasurable experience meant to escape the rigors of the workplace. You don’t want to be the person sending out emails while scarfing down your dinner — hence why you should leave your laptop behind whenever you head out to eat.

Answering Your Phone in the Restaurant

Just as it’s considered rude to use a laptop while eating out at a restaurant, answering a call and talking on your phone is seen as a big no-no in most countries outside of America.

To avoid the temptation to use your phone, you should consider either turning it on silent or switching it off completely. Not only will it help eliminate distractions, but it will also help you better appreciate the quality of your dinner.

Being Loud at Your Table

It’s no secret that Americans tend to talk at a somewhat higher volume — something we’ve become accustomed to have our voices heard over booming traffic, loud restaurants, and people-packed bars.

That said, you might want to remain aware of how loud you’re being at restaurants while abroad, curbing your voice down to a lower pitch to avoid aggravating any neighboring tables of fellow diners.

Assuming Restaurants Are Open 24/7

While most countries take their dinners a bit later than most Americans might be used to, you shouldn’t automatically assume that those restaurants are open 24/7, as they are in the U.S.

Instead of going hungry when most shops close at a reasonable hour, we’d suggest planning to take your meals a tad earlier (say around 7 or 8 p.m.) to avoid missing an opportune time to eat.

Eating Dinner Too Early

Most Americans tend to hold a strict outlook on their specific mealtimes, especially when it comes to a noon lunch and a 6 p.m. dinner.

However, it’s worth mentioning that some cultures prefer eating dinner far later than most Americans might be accustomed to. In Mexico, for instance, most people prefer to eat dinner anywhere from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., while in India, most restaurants reopen for dinner at around 7 p.m. after a long mid-day break.

Not Paying Attention to Cultural Etiquette

A tricky aspect of traveling to foreign countries is the appropriate cultural etiquette some nationalities have when it comes to dining.

As an example, in most Middle Eastern countries, it’s customary to eat your meals exclusively with your right hand, while in India, it’s considered polite to entirely clear your plate after you’ve been served a meal.

Being Underdressed

Yes, we get it — most of us tend to work up a bit of a sweat while on vacation, especially if you’re traveling in the heat of summer.

However, it’s also worth noting that certain nationalities frown upon Americans’ more casual clothing. For example, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend sporting tank tops, flip-flops, baseball caps, or shorts in a fine-dining establishment.

Trying To Pay With U.S. Currency

Yes, there’s a decent chance that the restaurant you’re dining at accepts American dollars, but paying with U.S. currency can cause the restaurant staff many logistical headaches when it comes to finalizing the bill.

To circumvent this issue, it’s helpful to either A) familiarize yourself with the exchange rate or B) simply swap your dollars for the local currency, be it pounds, francs, or pesos.