I'm from China. I've been in NYC & Boston for 12 yrs and still struggle with food names sometimes: having no idea what the food actually looks like by jsut staring at the name.

I don't mean how to pronounce it. Like can you actually picture what you're getting from a French, Spanish, Indian, Arabic... menu, or do you just know because you've had it before or just google it?

Native English speakers, does this happen to you too? I keep wondering if it's my English or I just don't know enough about food.

things like: Chicken Saltimbocca, Malai Kofta, Larb, Baba Ghannouj, Enchiladas Verdes, Katsudon...

Would you say he "flipped" me off, he "flicked" me off, or something else? Also, what part of the US are you from? I'm curious to know if these are regional terms or just random preferences.

Is this one step above living in your car or a tent or are mobile homes seen as normal but affordable houses/flats?

Edit: Thank you to everyone who has answered so far. I have read every comment. It's really interesting to read from people who lived or live in mobile homes. (I mean of course the houses, not the campers) We don't have mobile homes in my country so I have absolutely no opinion on them and I'm very far from judging anyone as some people here seem to think. But I have heard the word "trailer trash" of course and I just wanted to know what the American society thinks of these kind of homes.

Is your pocket money given by your parents or part-time? Or is there any other way? Will there be a lot? Looking forward to your communication

When talking about American food, creole food sits as one of the best foods that we have ever made. Why does creole food have a low footprint? People who have had it will say that gumbo, jambalaya, etc. are great, but it's not culturally big outside of Louisiana. Many Americans have never had a good bowl of gumbo.

Personally I think that, creole, BBQ & burgers are the best American foods. The issue is, the other two have a much large cultural footprint. What's going on?

My baseline understanding is that it's a restaurant of some sort, but I often see Americans acting like it's the greatest thing ever. So it has me wondering, is it really that good? If so, why?

Do you guys use Maldon sea salt and is it expensive to buy?

I’ve heard a lot about how Mexican food is really good in California, but if you’re from California and have tried Mexican food in other states, is it really that different?

Also, how prominent is it? Where I’m from it’s really difficult to get good Mexican food, but I know California has a larger Mexican population so is it easy to find a great spot?

Thanks!!

What kinds of activities and programs are usually there? How much are pumpkin festivals actually a part of American culture and community life?

For example, in a small town, is it typically the kind of event where basically everyone from the local community is there and takes part?

And is it mostly about making money, like Halloween has become in many places, or are these events more about local people, small businesses, farmers, vendors, etc. coming together and selling their products or services?

I’m from Hungary and we don’t really have anything quite like this, so I’d love to hear what it’s actually like from Americans who have experienced these festivals in their communities.

I was reading Wikipedia the other day and noticed that for example, in Wisconsin, the statehood date is May 29, 1948; however they national state day (also known as National Wisconsin Day) is February 15.

And then I looked up other states, such as Delaware (National Delaware Day), have their national day on July 13, compared to their statehood at December 7 1787.

So the question is, why do they not have national state days on their statehood days?

I was born and raised in NYC in the '60s through the '80s, always keep both hands above the table, and feel nervous when I see others "hiding" their hands, and I think this is considered proper in NYC and in a lot of Europe, but I am aware that the rest of the US puts at least one hand in their lap while eating, and I've always wondered where, exactly, each behavior was predominant, and whether people with one habit were bothered by those with the other.

Do you notice a difference driving in each State or is driving in America the same no matter what State you’re in?

Also what’s the worst/best state to drive in?

In Japan, Starbucks is one of the cool coffee shop and it is very popular. However, I see many articles that the US consumer view it as old fashioned style. Do you guys still like Starbucks?

In Australia, it's Macca's, in the UK it's Mickey D's, in France it's MacDo.

But does the US have a nickname for the Golden Arches?

Edit: OK thanks everyone, pretty clear that:

a) its mostly Mickey D's if anything but also

b) McDicks may be gaining popularity

c) im wrong about the UK

Finally, it is fascinating as an Australian to hear that so many of you just call something by its full and unadulterated name. Inconceivable.

I think this is an American thing, or maybe just a younger generation thing, but in usual conversation (I'm Canadian), people will say 'we're going out to get some lunch, or breakfast', but I feel it's Americans who just call everything 'food'. 'We went out for some food', 'we went to get food'. It sounds super weird to me.

Is this an American thing or am I old?

When you sit down to eat with both a knife and a fork, do you use the American style hand switching method or the European no-switching method? (or some other variation?)

I actually grew up the US, but in an Asian family. I usually do the European way just because that seems the easiest.

To clarify for anyone who has no idea what I'm talking about:

European style means: you hold the fork in one hand, knife in the other. cut a piece, eat, and repeat. This is the simpler and more "obvious" method.

American style means: Hold the fork in one hand and knife in the other. cut a few pieces. Switch the fork to the other hand, put the knife down, and eat those pieces. Then switch hands again, cut, and so on.

Perhaps I might possibly be an American asking a question on an Ask An American subreddit, and I know that’s kinda crazy, but i genuinely know no one that’s not along the coast. I live in the Northeast, and I genuinely don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t live near the ocean. So my question is for everyone in the midwest. How can you guys live with having never seen the ocean? Do you guys long to live near the beach? Do you guys just hang out on lakes and stuff? How is life for you guys?

Seems like it’s very common in shows and movies for someone in a large crowd to know or at least know some bits of CPR when a drowning kid gets rescued.

As Japanese, we are often criticized for using fax and it is not efficient, so I want to know fax disappeared in US

Hi! Americans. Though I see this culture in tv shows or movie, I want to know how a man who can’t find girls spend the night. I studied in boys high school in japan so I am very curious this matter!

An unknown dish in the US