Need a drink?

The photo above captures a dining moment that is rare or virtually impossible to find in the United States. That is, having lunch and sharing a large bottle of beer on the sidewalk in front of your favorite little pizza joint.

We, in the U.S. (and Canada), are so incredibly up tight about so much, especially alcohol, it's amazing we all don't simply explode. In many other countries, beer and wine, if not stronger libations, are considered a part of the diet. Period. Nobody thinks twice about it otherwise.

I recall driving in Mexico about six years ago on the toll road that leads from Mexico City to Oaxaca. Enterprising "restaurantuers" set up shop in hastily built shacks, frying tortillas, grilling unidentifiable animal parts and serving cactus. Beverages available? Coke, beer, tequila. Just don't drink the water. Tequila on the toll road. Hilarious.

In the U.S., in contrast, having alcohol served anywhere on the the premises is subject to strict regulation and involves expensive and difficult to obtain licenses. I don't recall, exactly, the bizarre rules about where and when you can buy alcohol in Tennesssee, but it's so off the wall it's hard to believe it's the 20th century in that state. I understand other states also have such unfortunate weirdness. Just this last summer, Carolyn and I arrived at our favorite Thai restaurant (Yes Thai) in Chicago to find all the outdoor tables vacant (a first) on one of the most beautiful summer evenings imaginable. Inside we learned that the City suddenly decided to prohibit them from serving alcohol outside because they were too close to a nearby school. (I hate to be so cynical, but I think they simply don't understand that the guy telling them this was expecting an envelope.) Actually, I lied. I enjoy being cynical sometimes :)

The center and third photos show a wonderful tradition that we experience in Buenos Aires. After a meal, many restaurants (not the tourist places) bring a limoncello or other apertif as a thank you for your patronage. Imagine that happening at your local diner in the U.S.? I don't mean to complain, but we are made to believe that everything about the U.S. is ideal , and in many ways it is, but there is room for improvement. For example, having wine on sidewalk at Yes Thai.

In Buenos Aires, you can pretty much get a beer or wine (or something stronger) virtually anyplace that serves food. And the servers are almost always polite and helpful, albeit slow, but that's the culture. Eating and drinking take time. Take your time; chew your food. Relax. And by all means, have another glass of wine.

Buen provecho!