There's no judges : The shows is broad cast live all over Europe and people get to vote for their favorite performance but they cannot vote for their own country.If you have judges for that deal let Yngwie Malmsteen be the Simon Cowell of the panel.
"Absolutely dreadful! You all are such disappointments!"
A thread for European people
- Thread starter assari
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bobjustbob
Proud member of FreeOnes Hall Of Fame. Retired to
I've never noticed the "cut into pieces first" thing. Then again, I've been told that I eat weird. Most people cut then switch the fork to the other hand to put it in their mouths. Can't you find your fork to your mouth with either hand?
Dinner takes 3 hours in European restaurants? Why? What the fuck are they doing in those kitchens? I'm coming into the restaurant because I want to eat, not sit and watch others eat. Oh wait, the servers don't give a shit about service because of their inflated pay. Spend a few grand to fly over just to sit for 3 hours for food. Fuck that. Like I need another reason to never take that trip.
Supafly
Retired Mod
That thing about three hours is maybe true in the southern parts, up here in northern Germany, I would say, more like an hour less. But you obviously are not used to eating on european time
Mind you, we have enough restaurant where things are rather fast, they just are nothing special. They are pretty much fast food, just with the feel of an actual restaurant. A friend of mine is a cook, and he says, in so many restaurants today, they use stuff they bought ready, and just heat it up. They don't actually cook your meal. That is what takes a little extra time, and we don't rush meals at the table, either
Supafly
Retired Mod
Plus, to me,, Malmsteen is more like a fiddler, a fast one, but he sure does not have the abilities to judge the talent and the outlook of people with the ear and mind of a Simon Powell
GodsEmbryo
Closed Account
Completely depends on country and what kind of restaurant you're going, and it has nothing to do with the speed of the kitchen. As Supadupafly said in most restaurants that are nothing special you'll get your food fast enough. In Belgium however it's part of our culture to enjoy food (It might not be a surprise we're famous for our chocolate, pralines, beer, waffles, "french" fries...). Whenever we go to a restaurant we like to take time to enjoy the meal, the wine and the company. My experience in Austria for example is that you have to devour your food as quickly as possible because before you know it they take your plate away.
Service isn't bad either. Whoever serves you is friendly and polite, and will serve you correctly. The difference with the US is that people will not be over-friendly because their tips/wages depend on it. They will focus on service, not on being your best pall.
Of course there will always be places where the food sucks, and service is bad. But in general...
Supafly
Retired Mod
NOTE: "French" Fries are not really french, the arguably ultimate "Pommes Frites" ("Fried Potatoes") you get in Belgium GodsEmbryo is too modest to point that out. As a German, I live across the border from him, and for the real thing, we can drive over. And as good as german chocolate is, their stuff is legendary. If you plan coming over, always include Belgium.
3 hours is a bit exagerated. More like 2 hours. It takes time because we don't rush, we take our time, we talk (a lot), etc. But if you wanna make it faster, it's totally possible : you come to the restaurant, sit, wait for the waitress, order your food, wait for about 15-20 minutes, eat your food, ask for the bill, pay and leave. It won't take more than 45 minutes. But you would miss the experience of european style dinner.
What's the point of travelling abroad if you don't try to experience other cultures, other life-styles, etc. ?
Oh and about the service, waiters and waitresses are mostly fine. I've been to the US and I haven't noticed a big difference between the way they treat the customers in Europe and in the US.
GodsEmbryo
Closed Account
Thanx mate :hatsoff:. We take pride in our fries.
bobjustbob
Proud member of FreeOnes Hall Of Fame. Retired to
From what I've heard, wine prices in European restaurants are very reasonable. In USA there is no such thing as a $25 750ml bottle. Plan on $35-65-105. Not because it is anything special, they just mark wine up that much.
Supafly
Retired Mod
Wow. As you said, 25 € are a good starting price for a good botle of wine, you can go cheaper for a bottle of piss or much higher - but then it will be really good wine.
