This Side of the Pond

On my very first trip across the pond, I landed in New York City. Bleary-eyed, I staggered the unfamiliar streets in search of sustenance.

That was when I stumbled across one of the best ideas America has ever had, though I didn’t know it at the time. At first, I thought I’d been unlucky enough to secure the world’s pushiest waitress.

She kept asking if I was done with my soda. I was, for the most part, but I was saving the melted ice to wash down my last bite, so I didn’t want to part with the glass just yet.

Frustrated, she changed tactics and asked if I’d like her to bring me a new glass. N...