Isn't it strange that Mexican restaurants give out free chips to anyone who sits down?

Can you imagine an American restaurant setting down a basket of free fries from the get-go?

The folks at work were recently discussing why they do not go to Indian restaurants at night. During the day, these restaurants tend to have an all you can eat buffet; the buffet includes bread and rice. At night, everything is a la carte and the diner must order bread separately. In general, a couple pieces of naan will set you back $2.50. Also, rice must be ordered separately, raita is separate, etc.  The folks at work are offended by this and don't go to these restaurants at night.   This would never happen in a Chinese restaurant. We are all dutifully served a bowl of rice with ever entr�e, and usually that rice goes uneaten (at least in the continental US).

We have come to expect a bread basket at most restaurants. If bread were listed separately on the menu of an American restaurant, people would have a fit. Is it that bread is such an integral part of an American dinner that we the restaurant patrons would not stand for its disclusion? Probably not, as the majority of meals served at home do not include a bread basket, except on special occasions. Anyway, if the rule of measure is whether or not it is normally included in the meal, Japanese pickles would be given out for free instead of listing them as a menu item. Plus, I feel fairly certain that tortilla chips are not eaten on a regular basis in Mexico as the whole country would be dead of a heart attack if that were true.

On a different note:

Is it me, or does it look like he's wearing a leotard?