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You can learn a lot about a country by how it handles a meal.

Living between Australia and the United States, I’ve noticed that dining etiquette carries subtle — and sometimes surprising — differences. Things that feel completely ordinary in one country can seem unusual in the other.

In this episode, I look at:

• The American “cut and switch” method
 • Restaurant pacing and table expectations
 • Tipping culture and how it shapes service
 • Whether clearing plates mid-meal is polite or premature

It’s not about declaring one approach right and the other wrong.

It’s about how food culture reflects broader values — independence, hospitality, efficiency, and comfort — and how those values show up in small, everyday rituals.

If you’ve ever felt slightly out of step at a restaurant overseas, you’ll probably recognise a few of these moments.

Be sure to check out one of Canberra’s best restaurants when you’re next in the capital:
 https://www.courgette.com.au/

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 Hoo roo maties.

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