________ I'm enjoying my time in Taipei as an exchange student. I have made new friends here，and many of them are locals. Through my interaction(交流)with them，I've noticed some interesting cultural differences.
________ One of the most common cultural differences is the size of food portions(份额)in restaurants. The food servings in America are usually larger than those I've seen in Asia.
We're even used to seeing the large sizes in some restaurants. However，in Asia, food portions are generally not very large.
________ Eating out in Asia is often a big social affair. People here eat out a lot. There are all kinds of restaurants. And there are food stands and food carts- even on the sidewalk!
But in the USA, people are too busy to cook at home. We often eat out with our family members. Fast food restaurants are quite popular.
________ Another interesting aspect of eating out is the way food is served. In America, each diner(用餐者) orders his own meal. When people eat out in Asia，they usually order food to share. Sometimes，one member of the party does the majority of the ordering for everyone. Nearly every time I eat out with friends in Taipei, each of us has our own bowl of staple(主食), and we share all the dishes. This is an excellent way to try new foods.
________ One thing that surprises me most is the way people pay for food at a restaurant. In the US we often ask for separate checks, so we each pay for our own meal. But here. If diners decide to pay separately, they don't request separate checks. Instead, they give money to the person who pays the bill. People also don't tip the waiter. There is often a service charge added to the bill.
