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Post by auntiepeas on Jan 19, 2024 4:33:43 GMT
Last night DH and I stumbled onto a video on YouTube about 20 "normal" New Zealand things that shocked the American woman living here who made it. One that surprised me was about eating out of cafe glass cabinets - I had no idea that this isn't common in some countries. So, just for fun I thought it'd be interesting to ask if you eat out of cafe glass cabinets? Obviously I do, and here's a photo of the savory glass cabinet at one of my local cafes (there's also a sweet treats cabinet that I enjoyed a little something from too 😜).  |
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Post by quinlove on Jan 19, 2024 4:40:33 GMT
Ever since the pandemic, they have done away with the glass, self serve cabinets, where I live anyway. I don’t frequent many fancy places, but the grocery stores and such don’t have them any more. At least not in my area.
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Post by workingclassdog on Jan 19, 2024 4:46:32 GMT
Not really… they are far and few where I live.
There is one bakery in my town that have these and one donut place.
The grocery store has them in the deli. I don’t shop much there as it is more expensive than ready made stuff.
That’s all I can think of off the top of my head.
Edited to add.. I wasn't even thinking.. none of the ones I see are self-serve.. the doors are on the back side. The only one I can think of is grocery store donut cases.
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Post by katlady on Jan 19, 2024 5:05:34 GMT
Is that self-serve? Usually self-serve ones where I live are for pastries. A couple of grocery stores I go to have them again. They shut them down during Covid, but they are using them again. The only ones I’ve seen with other dishes are cafeterias, but I haven’t been to a cafeteria in a long time.
If those are not self-serve, then yes, I see them often.
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Post by peano on Jan 19, 2024 5:06:44 GMT
I can't tell if the image in the OP has glass that opens at the front for self-service. DH and I recently had lunch at IKEA and it had self-serve glass cabinets. I didn't have an issue with it. Any other ones I've seen are not self-service.
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Post by auntiepeas on Jan 19, 2024 5:29:43 GMT
katlady and peano the cabinet in my photo isn't self-service, you order and pay at the counter then staff prepare them (ie, heat them, add butter, cream or yoghurt etc) and bring them out to you. I don't think any of the cafes where I live have self-serve cabinets but you do help yourself from the bakery cabinets at the supermarkets I go to. 😊 ETA: katlady Google tells me a cafeteria can be "a restaurant in which customers serve themselves from a counter and pay before eating" but in my neck of the woods a cafeteria is found in a school, larger office etc. There's a company cafeteria where DH works but it's really just a kitchen and dining area, albeit a nice one, for staff to use with food they bring into work.
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mimima
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Post by mimima on Jan 19, 2024 5:38:11 GMT
Very common here
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Post by katlady on Jan 19, 2024 6:08:10 GMT
auntiepeas Except for schools and Company cafeterias, there are not really too many around anymore, at least in my area. There was one that had really good food, but after Covid, they changed their format and now you order at the cash register and they bring the food to you.
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Post by KiwiJo on Jan 19, 2024 6:20:03 GMT
Yeah, glass cabinets are very common here (like auntiepeas I’m in NZ). I see in the video link, the American woman was surprised that the food is taken out of the cabinet and served to the customer - apparently she is used to the cabinet food just being for display and the ‘real’ food is out the back. But yeah, I just expect the food I see in the cabinet to be served to me. Some of things in the video you have to take with a grain of salt. I mean, yes they absolutely happen here, but not ‘everyone’ does them as she says. Like going barefoot - I walk barefoot as much as I can, but I wouldn’t dream of going into a shop barefoot. Not as an adult, though kids do of course. Having said that though, I was barefoot when I picked up my click and collect groceries yesterday - the collection area is in the undercover carpark, so I didn’t bother putting on shoes for that. Sausages in white bread at a sausage sizzle? Yes, for sure. Tomato sauce (ketchup) on the bread, then the sausage, add some fried onions and a squirt of mustard - excellent fund raiser found everywhere here. Fish and chips at the beach? Again, very common. Well, you don’t have to eat them at the beach, but yeah fish and chips wrapped up in paper is common. One of the favourite take-aways. Eftpos - absolutely common. Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale. Instantly takes the money straight out of your account and puts it into the vendor’s. Totally safe, totally used by pretty well everyone for anything. I rarely carry cash, and use eftpos for any incidentals such as a $1 bag of lollies (candy) for the grandkids. It doesn’t cost the vendors anything, or the purchasers, for eftpos transactions. I suspect that people from most countries around the world wouldn’t be at all surprised by most of the things in the video. Eftpos for instance, even if it’s called something else. |
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Post by busy on Jan 19, 2024 6:27:36 GMT
I don't know where that woman lived in the US but I think a number of the things she cites in that video are totally normal, at least in my part of the country, including cafe glass cabinets.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Jan 19, 2024 7:18:50 GMT
First, I can’t believe I actually watched that video. There’s nothing surprising about what she said and many of them are normal in the US or at least common enough that most people have heard of them (baked beans on toast, for example).
As for the glass cases, she’s describing a cafe like she says. Not a cafeteria - that would be like at a school or hospital, and not a grocery store self-serve case. She just means a little coffee shop, independent sandwich shop, or a bakery or cake/pie/dessert place. They certainly aren’t as common but I can think of 15-20 off the top of my head that have cases with food that the worker serves to you.
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Post by auntiepeas on Jan 19, 2024 7:23:33 GMT
busy apparently she lived in Wisconsin. A bit off topic I know but can I ask, is it normal for power outlets to have switches where you live? For me, the thought of plugging something in without being able to switch the power off at that outlet first makes me a bit uncomfortable. Ditto on leaving something other than the fridge freezer (and hot water cylinder) plugged in and switched on when it's not being used, especially overnight. 😳
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Jan 19, 2024 7:29:52 GMT
busy apparently she lived in Wisconsin. A bit off topic I know but can I ask, is it normal for power outlets to have switches where you live? For me, the thought of plugging something in without being able to switch the power off at that outlet first makes me a bit uncomfortable. Ditto on leaving something other than the fridge freezer (and hot water cylinder) plugged in and switched on when it's not being used, especially overnight. 😳 That is one of the few things on her list that surprised me. I have not heard of this so I don’t think it’s common |
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Post by katlady on Jan 19, 2024 7:46:13 GMT
busy apparently she lived in Wisconsin. A bit off topic I know but can I ask, is it normal for power outlets to have switches where you live? For me, the thought of plugging something in without being able to switch the power off at that outlet first makes me a bit uncomfortable. Ditto on leaving something other than the fridge freezer (and hot water cylinder) plugged in and switched on when it's not being used, especially overnight. 😳 That is one of the few things on her list that surprised me. I have not heard of this so I don’t think it’s common Yeah, not common in the US for that to be throughout the whole house. In newer homes, there is usually one outlet in each room that is connected to a switch, but that outlet is mainly used for lighting. So, when you enter a room, you flick the switch so that the light turns on. When I visit Japan, they have one main switch that turns off all the electricity in the hotel room, but I think that is more for conservation purposes and not safety reasons. |
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Post by sueg on Jan 19, 2024 7:46:59 GMT
OMG! I got to number 4 and couldn’t watch anymore. I found her attitude really condescending - oh, that’s normal here and I LOVE it, while there being this tone of disbelief about it.
Roadside fruit stands - we have those here in Germany, often seasonal, ans yes - people select their produce and put money in a metal box. The stand where we bought our Halloween pumpkin even had a QR code so you could pay with PayPal.
The glass fronted cabinets - every bakery or cafe is like that. You point out what you want and they take it from the cabinet and serve it. Some things - muffins, sandwiches - they may ask if you want it heated.
I have seen a few of these videos of ‘normal’ things in other countries that people from the US find ‘weird’ and they always make me shake my head. Often the things shown are common in many countries, just not the US, so who really are the ‘weird’ ones?
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Post by sueg on Jan 19, 2024 7:49:23 GMT
busy apparently she lived in Wisconsin. A bit off topic I know but can I ask, is it normal for power outlets to have switches where you live? For me, the thought of plugging something in without being able to switch the power off at that outlet first makes me a bit uncomfortable. Ditto on leaving something other than the fridge freezer (and hot water cylinder) plugged in and switched on when it's not being used, especially overnight. 😳 Power outlets in most of Europe don’t have on/off switches. You just plug in and there is electricity. I now often forget when I go back to Australia to visit that I need to flick the switch for things to work. |
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Post by katlady on Jan 19, 2024 7:51:06 GMT
I have seen a few of these videos of ‘normal’ things in other countries that people from the US find ‘weird’ and they always make me shake my head. Often the things shown are common in many countries, just not the US, so who really are the ‘weird’ ones? . But I also see videos made by Europeans about things they find weird about “normal” things in the US. |
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Post by wellway on Jan 19, 2024 8:20:59 GMT
In the UK and Ireland it is very normal and probably a regulation that all sockets have an on/off switch. We have no electrical sockets in bathrooms due to the high voltage of our electricity. There is sometimes a small two prong outlet for a shaver though.
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Post by gillyp on Jan 19, 2024 9:44:02 GMT
Glass cabinets are very common here. I can’t think of a bakery or cafe without one and all the food in them is for consumption not display.
Supermarkets here have breads and pastries on shelves of baskets for shoppers to help themselves. These items are often not in bags or covered in any way. The shopper picks them up with tongs and pops them in a bag to take to the till.
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compeateropeator
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Post by compeateropeator on Jan 19, 2024 10:51:20 GMT
Where I am we are more inclined to see glass cabinets with food like that more at a deli type place. Many of which you can sit and eat also, but where most people just get food to go. I have absolutely no issues eating out of a glass case if they have one.
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Post by littlemama on Jan 19, 2024 11:12:28 GMT
There was a small restaurant near where i used to work that had this. They exist, just not everywhere.
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Post by pilcas on Jan 19, 2024 11:48:58 GMT
Places like Le bon Pain, Pret a Manger and Le Pain Cotidienne have them still. Off hand I don’t remember other places that have them but I do see them once in a while.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jan 19, 2024 12:25:53 GMT
These are everywhere around me and I'm in Michigan. My favorite hole-in-the-wall diner where I love to get breakfast has one filled with mostly Greek pastries (it's owned by a Greek couple) and one of the most upscale restaurants in my home town has one featuring all their desserts. So they are definitely in restaurants here. Then we have some at our grocery store where you help yourself. And even at my local party stores which feature homemade dairy products in addition to the regular alcohol/snacks, has a huge case of self serve donuts in these types of cases. I did not watch the video but her statement seems odd to me.
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Post by KikiPea on Jan 19, 2024 13:42:26 GMT
I totally would, if not self serve.
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Post by hop2 on Jan 19, 2024 13:54:20 GMT
That type of cabinet is very common around me and has been my whole life.
Those are very common in cafes, bagelshops, Delis, bakeries, groceries, etc.
If we have fake display food, which is super rare, it is flat out in the open.
Wonder what part of the US doesn’t use those?!?
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Post by Lurkingpea on Jan 19, 2024 14:08:22 GMT
Glass cases with real food are exceedingly common here. The only restaurants or places I see that have fake food is typically in Japanese restaurants. Not all Japanese restaurants, of course, but that is the only place I have seen them regularly.
I am confused about the barefoot thing though. Do you drive barefoot? Here that would be illegal, I think.
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Post by workingclassdog on Jan 19, 2024 15:00:27 GMT
Yeah, glass cabinets are very common here (like auntiepeas I’m in NZ). I see in the video link, the American woman was surprised that the food is taken out of the cabinet and served to the customer - apparently she is used to the cabinet food just being for display and the ‘real’ food is out the back. But yeah, I just expect the food I see in the cabinet to be served to me. Some of things in the video you have to take with a grain of salt. I mean, yes they absolutely happen here, but not ‘everyone’ does them as she says. Like going barefoot - I walk barefoot as much as I can, but I wouldn’t dream of going into a shop barefoot. Not as an adult, though kids do of course. Having said that though, I was barefoot when I picked up my click and collect groceries yesterday - the collection area is in the undercover carpark, so I didn’t bother putting on shoes for that. Sausages in white bread at a sausage sizzle? Yes, for sure. Tomato sauce (ketchup) on the bread, then the sausage, add some fried onions and a squirt of mustard - excellent fund raiser found everywhere here. Fish and chips at the beach? Again, very common. Well, you don’t have to eat them at the beach, but yeah fish and chips wrapped up in paper is common. One of the favourite take-aways. Eftpos - absolutely common. Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale. Instantly takes the money straight out of your account and puts it into the vendor’s. Totally safe, totally used by pretty well everyone for anything. I rarely carry cash, and use eftpos for any incidentals such as a $1 bag of lollies (candy) for the grandkids. It doesn’t cost the vendors anything, or the purchasers, for eftpos transactions. I suspect that people from most countries around the world wouldn’t be at all surprised by most of the things in the video. Eftpos for instance, even if it’s called something else. It was an interesting watch. I feel like some of the things she was talking about is the same as America but just called something differently. Which one would think if you are in another country it wouldn't be called the same thing. Like the Eftpos.. it's just like here except we say 'debit or credit' or something similar. It's the exact same thing. I wasn't sure what she meant by bank transfer though... Was she saying if someone needed your bank number or credit card number you just give them the whole number? There is no machine? The buttons on the switches is different. No buttons here. Just plug in and go. Crosswalks? I have to say I look before crossing but I'm not the type to stop completely look several times.. I am just a go getter. LOL.. I usually assume when crossing the cars are going to stop. Now I am not living in NYC.. but I do work downtown Denver.. I would say 50/50 here on what people do. They either just jump on in and cross or a rule follower and wait/look/wait/look. No Egg Nog... I feel her pain.. I LOVE Egg Nog. |
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Post by disneypal on Jan 19, 2024 15:03:55 GMT
Yes, we have a popular bistro in town with a few locations and their sandwiches, salads and baked goods are served out of glass cabinets like this. Their food is wonderful and it’s pleasing to see the food to help you make a decision and possibly try something new.
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sueg
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Post by sueg on Jan 19, 2024 15:26:32 GMT
I wasn't sure what she meant by bank transfer though... Was she saying if someone needed your bank number or credit card number you just give them the whole number? There is no machine? Bank transfers are very common here in Germany. For example, when my cleaner left the company we had hired him through to become an independent contractor, he gave us his bank account information. Now, the day after he cleans, DH goes into our internet banking and sends the money direct to the cleaner’s account. Instant, no hassle, no need for us to be home when the cleaner is here and have cash on hand. I pay my dentist the same way. They send bill with account info, I go into internet banking and send money. I can save account info for regular payments - like the dentist and the cleaner - or just enter it as necessary. We do use a system here across Europe called ‘IBAN’ which I don’t think is used in the US for private banking. It is very secure and I can only transfer money to someone - I can’t see anything else about their account. I also have the same function on my Australian account. I can transfer money to my kids or siblings, or pay bills online. Companies will often have a ‘biller code’ which you enter, so they don’t need to give their full account details, but for friends/family, they just give their account number and I send to them. I use both accounts as it’s cheaper to send within a country than send internationally, though I believe the EU counts as though it is one country in this regard. Normally though for payments to companies for goods, I use PayPal if I can. |
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Post by Lurkingpea on Jan 19, 2024 15:40:05 GMT
I wasn't sure what she meant by bank transfer though... Was she saying if someone needed your bank number or credit card number you just give them the whole number? There is no machine? Bank transfers are very common here in Germany. For example, when my cleaner left the company we had hired him through to become an independent contractor, he gave us his bank account information. Now, the day after he cleans, DH goes into our internet banking and sends the money direct to the cleaner’s account. Instant, no hassle, no need for us to be home when the cleaner is here and have cash on hand. I pay my dentist the same way. They send bill with account info, I go into internet banking and send money. I can save account info for regular payments - like the dentist and the cleaner - or just enter it as necessary. We do use a system here across Europe called ‘IBAN’ which I don’t think is used in the US for private banking. It is very secure and I can only transfer money to someone - I can’t see anything else about their account. I also have the same function on my Australian account. I can transfer money to my kids or siblings, or pay bills online. Companies will often have a ‘biller code’ which you enter, so they don’t need to give their full account details, but for friends/family, they just give their account number and I send to them. I use both accounts as it’s cheaper to send within a country than send internationally, though I believe the EU counts as though it is one country in this regard. Normally though for payments to companies for goods, I use PayPal if I can. We can use zelle or venmo or other apps just using people's emails or phone number or scanning their code box thing with a phone. It is an instant bank transfer with no private information shared. Incredibly easy. I never even know what bank people use. We use it all the time to send money to kids, family, friends or at garage sales. |
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