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Dear Grandma and Grandpa, As you may have heard from my parents, I'm in China right now on a cultural exchange program. I'm enjoying my time here very much. I have made new friends here, many of whom are locals. Through my interaction(相互交流)with them, I've noticed some interesting cultural differences. One of the most obvious( 明 显 的 )cultural differences is the size of food portions in restaurants. Back home in America, the food portions are usually larger than those I've seen in China. We're even used to seeing super-sized dishes in some restaurants. However, in Asia, food portions are generally not extremely large. I'm must encouraged to eat until I'm full and enjoy different kinds of food. Eating out in Asia is often a big social affair(社交活动). People here eat out a lot. There are all kinds of restaurants. And there are food stands and food carts-even on the sidewalk(人行道). Another interesting aspect of eating out is the way food is served. Back home in America, each diner orders their own meal. When people eat out in Asia, they usually order food to share. Nearly every time I eat out with friends in China, each of us has our own bowl of rice or noodles, and we share the rest of the dishes. This is an excellent way to try new foods! One thing that makes me confused is the way people pay for food at a restaurant. In the U.S. we often ask for separate(分开的)checks, so we each pay for our own meal. But here, if diners decide to pay separately, they typically don't request separate checks. Instead, they give money to one person who pays the bill. People also don't tip the server. Instead, there is often a service charge added to the bill. I hope you are doing well. I'll write you again! Love, Margare |
