Where would you like to eat?

I’ve almost lived in Brooklyn for a year now and I’ve found some differences living here than what I’m used to as a lifelong Bay Stater. More observations to to come…

All my life I’ve heard the phrase, “For here or to go?” when ordering food somewhere that has the two options. Then New York threw a wrench in this common phrase with, “To stay or to go?”

I must look like an idiot every time someone asks me, “To stay or to go?” never mind the first time someone asked me. My jaw hung so low I probably was probably drooling.

Why is this different? As far as I can tell, it’s only New York City that does this. I’ve talked to other people from New York (state) and they use “for here.” I can’t even find this in any articles like, 51 reasons you know you’re a real New Yorker, or similar Google results.

Anyways, I don’t like it. Mainly because, “to stay,” isn’t a place, “here,” is and that just makes sense. Now, I know, “go,” isn’t a place either but that’s because, “go,” is the unknown. If the food is, “to go,” the food can be for anywhere.

I stay in hotels and over friends’ houses, not at restaurants.

Side note: I wanted to talk about New York-based band, The Ramones’ song, “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” as if that was a potential influence on the language but then I remembered that song is by the London-based band, The Clash.

photo credit: Thai Noon Express Bus via photopin (license)