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Dining Out | Used Furniture | Cell Phones | ID Cards | Prepare for the Seasons

What to Expect Dining Out

Restaurant Basics

There are many wonderful restaurants in Oregon, ranging from affordable food trucks to high-end restaurants. Dining out is a great way to experience the amazing food that is grown and prepared in the Willamette Valley! This page is a resource to help international students be famliar about what to expect when dining out.

"Please wait to be seated" If you see this sign, please do not try to seat yourself regardless of how busy or empty the restaurant is.
An Entree in the US is referring to the main course, not a "starter meal/appetizer"
The tap water in the US is safe and clean to drink. Oregon is known for having some of the freshest tap water. Tap water is also free in restaurants.
Sometimes you will notice on your menu that select drinks have free refills while you are dining in the restaurant.

Full-Service Restaurants

It is very common for your server to approach you several times, to welcome you, take your order and check on how you are enjoying your meal. They will also remove your dishes from the table as soon as you have finished everything on your plate. If you are still eating, be sure to let them know that you are not finished with the dish. Full-service restaurants range in types of food and price. If a menu is not posted near the door, it is okay to ask to see one to see what they offer and the price to make sure it is what you are looking for.

Counter Service

Some restaurants, breweries, food trucks or cafes are more informal and rather than a server coming to your table, you will order from a counter. It is common in these types of restaurants for customers to clear their own table. Look out for containers for dirty dishes and leave your table clean for the next customer.

Gratuity & Tipping

Restaurants

It is customary in the US to tip your server whenever you are eating and drinking in a restaurant. You can consider tipping more for full-service restaurants and a little less for counter service.

The amount that you tip can depend on how well the service was. The general range to follow is between 15% (average service) -- 20% (great service) of your bill. For example, if you enjoy the service and your bill was $20, you would tip an additional $4.00 and pay a total of $24.00.

Bars

It is customary to tip the bartender/server at least $1 per drink even if it is a happy-hour special of $5 for a beer. For elaborate cocktails, you can consider tipping in the range of 15-20% of the drink cost.

Cafés & Coffee Shops

It is also customary to tip about 10-15% at cafés and coffee shops.

Fastfood

If you are eating at a fast-food restaurant, you are usually not expected to tip, however you can if you would like to thank them for their service.

Automatic Gratuity for Large Groups

For groups of diners, typically 6 or more, some restaurants might automatically include a gratuity fee on the bill. This policy should be noted on the menu and indicated on the bill. You DO NOT need to add a tip on top of this.

Rides

It is common to add a gratuity to taxi rates, hotel/airport shuttles and rideshare apps. For taxis and shuttles, 15-18% is acceptable. Rideshare apps ask you to tip a broad range of amounts: on a $10 ride, for example, you could be offered options of $1, $3 or $5 – a range of percentages of 10, 30 or 50.

Bodywork & Hair

For services such as a massage, spa treatment, or haircut, the general range between 15% (average service) -- 20% (great service) is recommended.

Paying the Bill

The Bill

As soon as your plate is almost empty, the waiter may give you your bill, or they may ask if you would like dessert. Please do not feel rushed, you can still sit and chat at the table for as long as you'd like. If you are ready to leave, you can ask for the bill as well.

Splitting the Bill

Most restaurants do not mind splitting the bill. You can either let the server know when you are ordering that you would like separate bills or ask if it is possible when they give you your bill. Many times the server will ask if you are paying together or separately before they give you the bill.

Venmo: If you have a smart phone and are dining with your friends, you can use an app called Venmo. This app allows you to send money to your friends without fees.

Payment

Credit/Debit Card

In some restaurants you will receive a paper bill and you will see a spot under your total where you can input how much you would like to tip. Other restaurants will bring a machine to your table or have one at a counter and you can add the tip that way, either as an amount or a percentage.

Cash

If you are paying in cash, you can leave the tip on the table. Another option is to include the tip in your payment and say something like "Please keep the change."

Used Furniture

In the US, it is customary to purchase things second hand, including furniture and clothes as an affordable option. There are several places to search in Eugene Springfield, and Portland as well as online. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Eugene/Springfield

UO Surplus Furniture: Gently-used furniture and more from the university. Check their website for hours and available inventory.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

River Road 2nd Hand LLC

Portland

ReRun Neighborhood & Consignment Store

William Temple House Thrift Store

Oregon

Other secondhand stores for home goods and clothing with locations across Oregon:

Goodwill

St. Vincent de Paul

Superthrift

Facebook Marketplace

Tips for purchasing furniture off Facebook Marketplace!

Cell Phones & Making Calls

Cell Phones

Since you may already have a mobile phone in your home country, you will need to inquire about its use in the U.S. Many companies have international plans. However, it may be more economical to purchase a new phone after you arrive here.

Major cell phone companies include: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, MetroPCS, and Sprint.

Social Security Number (SSN): Some cell phone companies in the U.S. require that you have a Social Security Number (SSN) to purchase a service plan. If you don't have an SSN immediately, ask the cell phone companies about service plans that do not require a SSN, or you may be able to pay a large cash deposit.

CampusSIMs is a mobile phone service designed for international students studying in the United States. Their mobile app allows customers to get their phone registered anywhere they have WIFI and have an American phone number the moment they arrive to the United States. All plans are no contract with no activation or cancellation fees.

Making Calls

Making calls in the U.S. is confusing! A U.S. telephone number has 10 digits. The first 3 digits is called the “area code” and the last 7 digits is the “number.”

Type of call	how to call
Life-Threatening Emergency	911 This is the national emergency number for police, ambulance services, and fire department.
Crimes, Suspicious or Urgent Situations on Campus	541-346-2919 This is the UO Police dispatch number (24 hours).
Directory Assistance	411 An operator will give you phone numbers for people and businesses. There is a $1.25 fee.
Local Calling (in the city where you are)	three digit area code + seven digit phone number. For example, the ISSS office is 541-346- 3206
Calling Inside the U.S.	1 + three digit area code + seven digit phone number
Calling Outside the U.S.	011 + country code + city code + phone number
National Suicide Prevention Hotline	988 This is a national network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support to people in emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

More Emergency & Support Numbers

ID Cards/ Driver's License

International students are advised to always carry proof of identification. UO's International Student Scholar Services provide the most up to date information regarding immigration documents and identification for local, national, and international travel.

International Student Identification

Immigration Updates

Oregon Driver's License

Being Prepared for the Seasons

Oregon Weather

Oregon weather can be surprising and varies greatly depending on the month and where you are. By being prepared you can enjoy all types of weather and avoid being caught off-guard.

Appropriate Clothing

To dress for the weather in Oregon, consider the following tips:

Dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures throughout the day.
Wool is better than cotton. Even when wet, wool remains an insulator and will still keep you warm.
Good footwear as sidewalks can be uneven.
Carry a flashlight as streets are not well lit and it gets dark early in the winter months.
Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics during warmer months to stay cool on hot days.
Invest in waterproof and insulated outerwear for rainy months.
- Waterproof rain shell or insulated jacket with hood in early fall
- Heavier, insulated waterproof jacket with hood in late fall, or add layers under your rain shell
- Waterproof footwear
- Waterproof bag
- It is not recommended to rely on an umbrella as it’s often too windy!

Seasonal Averages

To give you an idea of the ranges you can expect while you are in Oregon, here are seasonal averages for Eugene, Portland, the coast to the west, and Bend to the east. For more seasonal averages around Oregon, visit Travel Oregon's website. In Eugene and Portland you can generally expect:

Summer starts in July and runs to September. It’s the driest time of year. Temperatures average around 80, with a spike over 100 for a day or two each year. Nights stay around 60 degrees.
Fall is a short season and usually runs from October to mid-November. Temperatures start dropping to the high 60s and low 70s, with nights in the mid-50s. As the month progresses, temperatures drop another 10 degrees. The trees start changing colors but won’t stay for long.
Winter usually comes in mid-November and goes until mid-March. Temperatures stay in the 40s and 50s, but it will get below freezing a few times throughout the season. It rains a lot and a typical winter will bring some snow a couple times per season.
Spring continues to stay wet and rainy, but temperatures begin to rise 10 degrees each month. Between mid-March and June, you’ll slowly see it transition back into summer.