Cafeteria vs Canteen
Cafeteria and canteen are terms used interchangeably to describe eating establishments. While there is only a slight difference in the meaning of these words, there are differences in their usage, as well as in British and American English. For those who don’t see a difference between a canteen and a cafeteria, here is a brief description of the words and the eateries they represent.
Cafeteria
Examples of cafeterias include McDonald’s and KFC, which are restaurant-type settings where people place an order and return to collect their food. There is a specific counter where customers line up to view the menu, place their order, and sometimes pay all in one place. They carry their food on a tray and sit at tables with chairs provided. The main feature of a cafeteria is self-service, making it different from a restaurant where customers sit, order through a waiter, and are served their chosen food.
Canteen
The term “canteen” is more commonly used in a British context than in American society, where it mainly refers to a military canteen serving armed forces personnel. In Commonwealth countries, a canteen is an eating establishment that is simpler and less formal than a cafeteria, often found in colleges, factories, and hospitals to serve a basic menu. Food prices in a canteen are typically lower than those in a cafeteria. In the US, “canteen” can also refer to a water container used by hikers and soldiers. Canteens often have subsidized food prices to benefit employees or the workforce in an organization. The concept of the canteen was developed to discourage workers from going out to eat, which would waste time and money.
Key Takeaways
- Both canteen and cafeteria are eating establishments, with canteens being more informal than cafeterias.
- Cafeterias are self-service restaurants, while canteens typically serve basic menus at lower prices.
- The term “canteen” is more commonly used in Britain and the Commonwealth, while “cafeteria” is more frequently used in the US.
