I have observed a few different patterns of eating at restuarants lately, since I am a waiter at two different restaurants and what I have noticed is a bit of a difference in style between Americans and Japanese. I believe it probably has to do with their upbringing and cultural knowledge, but typically the Americans order all at once and then they want their meals coursed out. For example starting with app’s then a salad or soup, then with the main entree’s and sides, finally followed with dessert and coffee. Now the Japanese are definetly capable of doing this, however it seems after they order their food there is a little hestitaion in their minds as to how the food will come out, therefore I explain the coursing. Sometimes they would prefer the food to come all at once with extra plates so they can share. I have never once had an American family from the mainland ever order like that. Lastly, sometime the Japanese order things off the menu in a strange way compared to Americans they will order one thing at a time and after they finish eating it, then they will flag you down and begin to order again, repeating this pattern until they are full.