In the US, people prefer waiting for a table to sitting with people they don’t know. If you are sitting at a table with people you don’t know, it is impolite to light up a cigarette without asking if it will disturb them.
At American restaurants and coffee shops you are usually served tap water (自来水) before you order. You may find bread and butter is free, and if you order coffee, you may get a free refill（续杯）.
Most cities and towns have no rules about opening and closing time for stores or restaurants, though they usually do make rules for bars. Especially in large cities, stores may be open 24 hours a day.
Serving (一份) in restaurants is often large, too large for many people. If you can’t finish your meal but would like to enjoy the food later, ask your waitress or waiter for a “doggie bag”. It may have a picture of a dog on it, but everybody knows you’re taking the food for yourself.
Supper and dinner are both words for the evening meal. Some people have “Sunday dinner”. This is an especially big noon meal.
Tips are not usually added to the check. They are not included in the price of the meal, either. A tip of about 15% is expected and you should leave it on the table when you leave. In some restaurants, a check is brought on a plate and you put your money there. Then the waiter or waitress brings you your change.
小题1:Which of the following statements is true?
A．American people like sitting with people they don’t know.
B．You may find bread and coffee is free.
C．American people never sit with people they don’t know.
D．American people won’t light a cigarette if the people who sit at the same table mind their smoking.小题2:What do American people always do when servings are too large for them?
A．They take the food home with a “doggie bag” for their dogs.
B．They leave the food on the table and go away.
C．They take the food home with a “doggie bag” and enjoy the food later.
D．They ask the waitress or waiter to keep the food for them.小题3:What can you learn about “tips” according to the passage?
A．Customers often add tips to their check.
B．Tips are supposed to be left on the table when customers leave.
C．People don’t need to pay tips.
D．The price of the meal usually includes the tip.
