The Subtle Behaviors That Reveal You’re American Abroad

A diner removes the onions, replaces the potatoes, moves the sauce to the side, adds another vegetable, and asks whether the chicken can be prepared differently. American restaurants have long promoted choice, from salad dressings to burger toppings, and customers are accustomed to hearing that almost anything can be adjusted. In countries where menus are smaller and dishes reflect a chef’s specific preparation, a long list of alterations may sound less like a request and more like a redesign.