Think BIG
Whereas other countries emphasize being practical, compact and concise, Americans often prefer large and luxurious. Don’t be surprised by the enormous trucks and massive SUVs sprawling across parking lots. Americans like their space. To them, large can be practical. Thinking big also applies to American food: most restaurants serve very large portions. It’s not uncommon for someone to order a sizable meal and then take the remainder home as leftovers. Some restaurant entrees are also meant to be shared. If you’re going out to eat and aren’t sure of the portion size, it’s okay to ask your server what they recommend! There is a counter-movement against the “big is better” mentality, however. Many people, especially young urbanites, are buying eco-friendly cars, shopping for local and healthy foods, and trying to lower their consumption and waste as much as possible.
“To-go” concept - Eating on the run
Most Americans are always on the go. It seems they are often running from one appointment to the next, going to and from work, picking up kids, running errands, and going to business meetings and social outings. Because Americans are regularly on the move, there is often not enough time to have a formal, sit-down meal. A common expression you’ll hear is, “24 hours in a day is not enough!”
You may be surprised to see Americans walking around with coffee mugs, beverages, or food packaged in to-go containers. You’ll probably see people eating a slice of pizza on the street (especially in New York City) or drinking a cappuccino while in line at the bank. You’ll notice that drive-thru windows are common at fast-food restaurants around the country; according to DoSomething.org, 20% of all American meals are eaten in the car. For many Americans, there isn’t enough time to sit down in a café and enjoy a cup of coffee, or relax for a few minutes and eat a snack, so you’ll often hear them order their food and drinks “to go.”
Going out to eat or ordering take-out
Americans eat out not only in the interest of time and convenience, but because it’s fun! The U.S. is a melting pot of different cultures, bringing along a variety of tasty food options. Dining out allows Americans to explore new cuisines and food varieties. Even in small American towns, you’re likely to find pizza, Chinese, Japanese, or Mexican food. In larger cities, you’ll find restaurants devoted to Ethiopian, Brazilian, or Afghani cuisine. It’s important to keep in mind that people’s habits always vary. Some people rarely eat out, but it is not uncommon for Americans to eat out several times a week. In addition to bringing lunch from home, many Americans get take-out for lunch or go out to lunch everyday. Sports
Many Americans love and follow sports, the most popular being football, baseball and basketball. You’ll discover that a major difference between your home country and the USA is that the following of soccer is much smaller in the U.S. than in other countries. Sports can be a huge uniting and dividing factor among Americans. During football and basketball season, you might see your coworkers getting into spirited debates about whose team is better. Football is fun to watch but can be pretty confusing to follow, but you can ask your American colleagues to help you out. You might even understand why over 100 million
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