text: Culture Both foreign cultures and American technologies were featured at the fair. While WFC rules technically prevented the fair's officials from influencing the design or contents of any exhibits, the WFC still retained a significant impact on the contents of exhibits. For example, developing nations were encouraged to showcase their art and culture, rather than technology, and WFC officials pressured Islamic nations to emphasize their religion.
  Cuisine
  The restaurant had a large number of eateries. When the fair opened, it had 110 to 114 eateries, including 61 within pavilions. The World's Fair had 31 standalone restaurants operated by the Brass Rail firm (including 6 specialty restaurants and 25 fine-dining restaurants). Restaurant Associates was supposed to operate several restaurants at the World's Fair, but its contract was canceled because of a dispute over signage, and Brass Rail instead received the contract. Ten of Brass Rail's restaurants were designed by Victor Lundy and had canopies shaped like bunches of white balloons. For the 1965 season, the fair was expanded to include 198 restaurants.
  Cuisine sold at the fair included Belgian waffles, 7 Up drinks, dumplings, pizza, tacos, kimchi, Turkish coffee, tandoori chicken, and hummus. Many of these became popular in New York City and in the U.S. after the fair closed. The Thailand pavilion included North America's first Thai restaurant, while the Malaysia pavilion served Tiger Beer and satay. During the 1964 season, many meals cost 99 cents because any food below $1 could not be taxed. Brewers spent millions of dollars convincing exhibitors to sell their beers.