Eating out. In most countries, East or West, eating out has now become very popular

In most countries, East or West, eating out has now become very popular. A lot of eating places ranging from high-class restaurants to factory canteens cater for all tastes at various prices. Thus small, often self-service restaurants, cafes or snack-bars serve quite cheap food while traditional restaurants are famous for high quality (and expensive) cooking.

Normally a meal in a restaurant takes time. Usually you tell the waiter what you want for the first two courses: he will take your order for dessert and coffee later. When paying the bill it is customary to tip waiters, however, in most restaurants a service charge is nowadays added to avoid individual tipping. But if the waiter has been very helpful some people like to give a small tip.

If you want to have a quick lunch you may decide on a snack-bar, a café or even your office vending machine where you can get sandwiches and other snacks.

Every country has its own popular places which traditionally specialize in certain dishes. For example, kebab grills, fried chicken are quite common in the Arab world. There are also hamburger restaurants in most places in the East nowadays which specialize in cheap meals. Very popular indeed are take-away places serving fried (grilled) chicken. In Baghdad, for instance, you go to a take-away restaurant or a small shop, give your order which is cooked while you wait and packed in plastic bags for you to take away. You are sure to enjoy the chicken, hot and juicy, seasoned and garnished with pickled onions, cucumbers, garlic and whatnot.

Staying at a hotel eases the matter considerably. At the hotel restaurant you are offered European cuisine along with specially prepared dishes, various hors d’oeuvres, wines and soft drinks.

First-class five star hotels treat their guests to “Swedish Board” which gives you a quick and delicious meal. Other services such as Coffee Shops are also commonly available.

Notes:

A lot of eating places ranging from high-class restaurants to factory canteens cater for all tastes – Многочисленные кафе, столовые, рестораны, от рядовых до первоклассных, предлагают блюда на любой вкус.

it is customary to tip waiters – принято платить официанту чаевые

you may decide on – вы можете остановить выбор на …

“Swedish Board” – шведский стол

coffee shop – небольшой ресторан, специализирующийся на приготовлении сладостей, легкой закуски, завтраков.

are … commonly available – встречаются повсюду.

Comprehension questions:

1. What places would you choose if you feel like eating out?

2. What eating places usually serve cheap and quick food?

3. Is tipping customary in restaurants nowadays?

4. Will you go to a restaurant if you want a quick meal?

5. What are traditional dishes peculiar for the Arab world countries?

6. What restaurants specialize in cheap and quick meals?

7. Why are hamburger restaurants popular all over the world?

8. Why are take-away restaurants so popular today?

9. How do hotel restaurants cater for their guests?

Read the text about Russian meals and compare them with British using words in degrees of comparison. Which cuisine do you like more? Why?