Things You Order To Make The Server Say "huh?"
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,594
surprisingly, two servers at one of the busiest korean places near me had apparently never seen a caucasian order the raw beef. one was befuddled, while the other initially told me they were out, when they werent.
no idea why they saw raw beef as so different, considering the popularity of sushi, and the western equivalent steak tartare.
more amusingly, my friend stopped by a suntory trial stand in japan over the summer, and sampled some single malts. the guy manning the stand asked how he wanted it mixed, and my friend said straight. he then proceeded to nose and taste, while the guy manning the booth stared at him "as if he were the most hardcore scotch connoisseur he had ever seen."
no idea why they saw raw beef as so different, considering the popularity of sushi, and the western equivalent steak tartare.
more amusingly, my friend stopped by a suntory trial stand in japan over the summer, and sampled some single malts. the guy manning the stand asked how he wanted it mixed, and my friend said straight. he then proceeded to nose and taste, while the guy manning the booth stared at him "as if he were the most hardcore scotch connoisseur he had ever seen."
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Oct 28, 08 at 12:37 am
#47
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Programs: Co Gold
Posts: 210
In fairness I only drink it neat now thanks to him
#48
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Currently living in BOG
Programs: *G and whatever else I can match to....
Posts: 908
I actually prefer tinto de verano, which is more or less the same thing but with Sprite (or, if in Spain, Casera) instead of cola. Goes down very nicely when it's hot and/or when the wine is of not-great quality.
#49
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA, USAir, UA
Posts: 867
When I order a eggs for breakfast, I will usually order them "fried over hard, yolks broken"... Even when having Eggs Benedict or other dishes traditionally served softer.
This occasionally requires me to send my eggs back to the kitchen for more cooking....when a chef or waitress decides I could not have *really* meant what I ordered.
If I have to send it back, I'll usually add the helpful instruction that "if the eggs are not solid when they get back, I'll see how well they splatter as a decoration..."
This occasionally requires me to send my eggs back to the kitchen for more cooking....when a chef or waitress decides I could not have *really* meant what I ordered.


#50
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA, USAir, UA
Posts: 867
If you call in advance, my favorite Russian restaurant will have a bottle of your favorite Vodka frozen *in the middle* of a block of ice with nothing but the neck exposed, ready for pouring neat. Nastrovya!
#51
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 873
Hot Water
My wife is from Asia and like many Asians she likes to drink hot water with her dinner. 10 out of 10 times when we order hot water at a restaurant in Europe or the US we get a blank look. We then explain that we want "tea without the tea"
, that usually works. Most of the time we get charged for a tea


Last edited by ql2112; Nov 4, 08 at 9:47 am Reason: spelling
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,314
Oh I get this kind of thing far too often to even remember, as a Brit living in Virginia.
"You want that with that??"
I did once ask for a glass of cava on Iberia and was brought coffee
That'll teach you for eating at a Slobster
"You want that with that??"

I did once ask for a glass of cava on Iberia and was brought coffee


#53
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGGX <-> CZQX
Programs: AA CK, UA GS, DL 360, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 413
Andrew: "I'd like a burger, fries, and a Sprite"
Server: "One burger, with fries, and a Coke"
Andrew: "No, a Sprite."
Server: "Right, a Coke."
Andrew:

Everything down here, except for a Doctor Pepper, is a bleeping Coke. Drives me nuts.
Cheers,
-Andrew
#54
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGGX <-> CZQX
Programs: AA CK, UA GS, DL 360, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 413
From "Dead Like Me", the (in)famous patty melt scene.
Cheers,
-Andrew
#55
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 644

Poached eggs, but do not overcook the yolk, I was told recently to order runny, that sounds sick.
#56
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Gobalist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,059
#57
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,721
If I'm feeling like a black and blue steak, I've found that ordering "Pittsburgh" gets more mileage than black and blue.
I've found some bartenders give me an odd look when I order a manhattan: "Knob Creek Manhattan, straight up, half and half, extra bitters". Half and half refers to half sweet, half dry vermouth, which is my personal taste for a manhattan.
I get a fair amount of odd looks in the US when I order fries with mayo. I don't know why, I kinda figured that people had seen mayo on fries by now...
Cheers,
-Andrew
I've found some bartenders give me an odd look when I order a manhattan: "Knob Creek Manhattan, straight up, half and half, extra bitters". Half and half refers to half sweet, half dry vermouth, which is my personal taste for a manhattan.
I get a fair amount of odd looks in the US when I order fries with mayo. I don't know why, I kinda figured that people had seen mayo on fries by now...
Cheers,
-Andrew
#58
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 4,255
Originally Posted by astanley
If I'm feeling like a black and blue steak, I've found that ordering "Pittsburgh" gets more mileage than black and blue.
I've found some bartenders give me an odd look when I order a manhattan: "Knob Creek Manhattan, straight up, half and half, extra bitters". Half and half refers to half sweet, half dry vermouth, which is my personal taste for a manhattan.
I get a fair amount of odd looks in the US when I order fries with mayo. I don't know why, I kinda figured that people had seen mayo on fries by now...
Cheers,
-Andrew
I've found some bartenders give me an odd look when I order a manhattan: "Knob Creek Manhattan, straight up, half and half, extra bitters". Half and half refers to half sweet, half dry vermouth, which is my personal taste for a manhattan.
I get a fair amount of odd looks in the US when I order fries with mayo. I don't know why, I kinda figured that people had seen mayo on fries by now...
Cheers,
-Andrew



#59
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGGX <-> CZQX
Programs: AA CK, UA GS, DL 360, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 413
If you find mayo so disagreeable, then don't order poutine in Quebec.
Cheers,
-Andrew
fry-o-holic.
#60
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: Worldperks Silver, Dividend Miles Silver, Rapid Rewards
Posts: 163
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYCTVlxVx0I
From "Dead Like Me", the (in)famous patty melt scene.
Cheers,
-Andrew
From "Dead Like Me", the (in)famous patty melt scene.
Cheers,
-Andrew