Zadie Smith compares the American experience of “takeout” with the British version, “takeaway”:
In New York, a restaurant makes some “takeout” food, which it fully intends to take out and
deliver to someone. In England, the term is “takeaway,” a subtle difference that places the onus on the eater. And it is surprisingly common for London restaurants to request that you come and take away your own bloody food, thank you very much. Or to inform you imperiously that they will deliver only if you spend twenty quid or more. In New York, a boy will bring a single burrito to your door. That must be why so many writers live here—the only other place you get food delivery like that is at MacDowell. …
I’m not going to complain about Britain’s “lack of a service culture”—it’s one of the things I cherish about the place. I don’t think any nation should elevate service to the status of culture. … In London, I know where I stand. The corner shop at the end of my road is about as likely to “bag up” a few samosas, some milk, a packet of fags, and a melon and bring them to my home or office as pop round and write my novel for me. (Its slogan, printed on the awning, is “Whatever, whenever.” Not in the perky American sense.)
Ah, yes, one of the great miracles of New York City. I’ve never lived in a place where every apartment has room service, and usually delivered more quickly to your door than any hotel restaurant to your room. As a writer who doesn’t cook, it’s one huge benefit of living here.
But Seamless operates in DC as well!
For a comprehensive archive of all my insufferable bitching, whining and moaning about moving to New York, click here.
(Photo: Mayor Mike Bloomberg helps the online lunch ordering business Seamless at their midtown Manhattan headquarters on January 11, 2012. By Aby Baker/Getty Images.)
The Dish 