Learning chopstick

In the West, as well as in Asia, tastes and dining etiquette are changing. “There is more understanding of different cuisines and cultures,” says Alan Yau, the innovative and successful founder of the Wagamama chain of Asian noodle restaurants in the UK. “But people still don't understand etiquette very well. For example, in one of my Thai restaurants, Western diners insist on using chopsticks. They don't want to eat the Thai way, just with fork and spoon,” says Yau, “so we give them chopsticks. Then Thai people say we are not a “real” Thai restaurant because we provide chopsticks.”

Hugues Jaquier, general manager of London's exclusive Hotel Sofitel St James and Brasserie Roux, believes people are only beginning to understand other cultures. He is shocked when customers put ketchup on a traditional French dish, or when US guests insist on drinking coffee with their meals.

The Japanese are leading other Asian cultures in adapting their own traditions. “When Noboyuki Matsuhisa launched the Nobu restaurants in the USA, he quickly learned what Americans like,” says Laura Holland, translator of the successful Nobu cookbook. For example, at the beginning, Nobu disliked seeing diners pour lots of sauce on their rice and sushi, but then he accepted it and he even developed a special mix for customers to pour.

“On the other hand, in Japan, the more sophisticated, restaurant-going crowd are very open to different styles and trends,” says Holland. The “Japanisation” of Western food and etiquette began many years ago. In Tokyo's chic Ginza district, for example, an Italo-Japanese restaurant called Chop Stick serves innovative Italian food that people can eat with chopsticks.

1. Alan Yau says that tastes in food are changing in Asia only. (false)

2. Thai people don't understand etiquette very well, according to Yau.

3. Hugues Jaquier finds it strange that some people drink coffee with their

meals.

4.Nobu adapts his dishes for American customers.

5. Japanese restaurant goers don't like to try different cuisines.

6. In Japan, adapting Western food and etiquette is not something new.

B. Match these words (1-6) to their meanings (a-f). Use a good dictionary to help you

1 etiquette 2 innovative 3 insist (on doing something) 4 adapt 5 sophisticated 6 trend

a) change something to make it suitable for a new situation b) the way a situation is developing or changing c) knowing a lot about fashion and culture d) new, original e) the rules of polite behaviour f) keep doing something that other people don't like

• SPEAKING

Work in pairs.

a) Discuss how business people can learn about foreign cultures. Make a list of three practical ideas.

b) Imagine some foreign business people ask you about the main rules of dining etiquette in your country. What do you tell them? Make a list of three points.

• LANGUAGE FOCUS : SOME / ANY

• We use some in positive statements.

There are some very good restaurants in the city centre.

• We also use some when we offer things and ask for things.

Would you like some more coffee? Can I have some tea, please?

• We use any in most questions.

Do you have any beef?

• We also use any in negative statements.

We haven't got any beef today

A. Read this dialogue about choosing a restaurant. Underline the correct words to complete it.

Mina There are some / any good restaurants in the centre.

Ivan Yes, but there isn't some / any parking. We could go to the Texas

Steakhouse near the airport.

Mina Do they serve some /any vegetarian dishes?

Ivan I don't think so. How about the Marina? They do some / any great

fish dishes, and they have some / any vegetarian starters, too.

Mina Good idea. I'll see if they've got a table for 9 o'clock.

• LISTENING

A. A man and a woman are ordering a meal in a restaurant. Listen and write M for man and W for woman.

1. Starter	salad		snails		soup	W
2. Main course	spaghetti		paella		sushi
3. Dessert	ice cream		fruit		apple pie

B. Put this dialogue into the correct order.

a) You should try the roast duck. It's delicious.

b) No, thanks. I'm full.

c) Would you like a starter? (1)

d) Right. I'll get the bill.

e) I'd like the soup, please.

f) Would you like a dessert?

g) What do you recommend for the main course?

h) Thanks very much. That was a lovely meal. I really enjoyed it.

Listen and check your answers.

• LANGUAGE FOCUS : COUNTABLE / UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

• Most nouns in English are countable. We can put a / an before them, and they have a plural form.

tables, meals, restaurants, women

• Some nouns are usually uncountable and so are usually singular.

water, tea, sugar, milk, bread

• A lot of, many and much mean “a large quantity or number of something”.

• We use a lot of in all types of sentences.

There aren't a lot of flights at the weekend.

• We use many with countable nouns.

How many people are coming to the conference?

• We use much with uncountable nouns.

Can you pay? I haven't got much money.

A. Correct the mistakes in these sentences. Use a lot of, many or much.

1. They don't have much vegetarian dishes here.

2. How many does it cost?

3. The restaurant hasn't got much tables left.

4. I don't have many time at the moment.

5. I drink much coffee.

6. There aren't much hotels in the city centre.

7. It costs much money.

8. I don't want many spaghetti. There's ice cream for dessert

B. Work in pairs. Complete these questions with many or much. Then ask and answer the questions with a partner.

1. A How .. much.. cash do you have in your wallet?

B. About 20 euros.

2. How….keys do you have in your bag / pocket?

3. How…. people are there in your company?

4. How…. time do you have for lunch?

5. How….days' holiday a year do you have?

6. How…. languages do you speak?

7. How….do you usually tip in a restaurant?

8. How…. fast-food restaurants are there where you live?

9. How…. do you eat for breakfast?

10.How…. water do you drink a day?

• LISTENING

A. You are in a restaurant. Match what you think (1-7) to what you should say (a-g).

You think	You say
1 I want a steak. 2 The fish is good. 3 What is the best dish? 4 I need to pay. 5 I don't eat meat. 6 I want to choose some wine. 7 I'm not ready to order yet.	a) Can I have the bill, please? b) Are there any vegetarian dishes? c) I'd like the steak, please. d) I need a few more minutes. e) Can I have the wine list, please? f) What do you recommend? g) I recommend the fish.

B. Listen to a waiter in a restaurant. Use responses from the “You say” column to reply.

You hear: Are you ready to order?

You say: I need a few more minute5.

• SPEAKING