[dnfsod]

When I lived in Japan everyone who would come visit me would look at restaurant menus and ask “why are the small and large beers the same price? Who would ever buy the small?”

Locals would say matter of factly “you only order the large when you want more.”

Also many restaurants offer Tabehoudai and Nomihoudai, “all you can eat and drink” respectively.

All the servers would come to see when the Americans would order nomihoudai and request a pitcher of beer.

“Okay, one pitcher for the table.”

We’d always get a laugh when we’d say, “Actually, one pitcher for each of us.”

[arresin]

> “all you can eat and drink” respectively.

It would interesting to see the effect of that here in Australia. Imagine the Homer Simpson at the seafood buffet episode but an entire country.

[dnfsod]

It really shines a light on the excess of American culture.

Japan does have a “drink to excess” culture too, but it largely seems to be more with intent. (Also, in my travels I have found harder alcohols, 35%+, and shots culture are mostly a US characteristic.)

If I’d eat out with only my Japanese friends and we’d get a tabehoudai/nomihoudai we would only consume until sated, usually only ordering about the same amount as a normal menu item, but take advantage of the “all you can” to try new foods and drinks we were unsure if we’d like.

With my fellow American friends we would certainly abuse the privilege by drinking and eating beyond excess without necessarily even setting out to do so.