Depends on the place I guess for me.
I don't tend to patronize fancy or semi-fancy-ish spots. My general dining rule is if I walk in and the worst dressed customer is in a Patagonia quarter zip, it ain't my thing. I'm more of a dive joint type of guy and if there's a TV with a game on it or something I'm good with it. I like less-than-casual ambience, but vuvuzelas are a bridge too far for me.
But that's just me. I love to cook and I'm good at it, so if there's an expensive dish like a steak dinner, fish, something fancy I want, I generally do it myself for 1/8th of the cost. The places I like to frequent generally either have very few or no English speakers (some really good African eateries in Sioux Falls/Omaha/Minneapolis, it's not just Mexican food), or look like the kind of establishments where you should probably know someone there before you walk in. Usually the best food anyway, and adds a little flair to your life.
I guess I'll qualify my above statement a little though...I'm a huge sushi fan. Not chain sushi, either. I like high-end stuff and that's the one thing I pay way too much for. Rolls are for children, people need to experience good sashimi and alternate kinds of sushi. If I go on vacation that's my requirement is I research local places and make a little tour out of it. Omaha and Minneapolis have some truly amazing sushi restaurants, Sioux City and Sioux Falls also have some very passable sushi places as well.
