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[hydrophilic attack]

So I'm on a road trip in the US (Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and now finishing up in California) and one thing that feels a bit weird is how waiters and waitresses respond to you when you tell them what you want on the menu. It's always "awesome", "great choice", "that's my favourite" and "cheddar's better" (after saying I wanted cheddar on my omelette).

And even weirder is that they sometimes congratulate me on finishing my meal. Today my (very nice and attentive) waiter congratulated me on finishing all my fish tacos as if I was a six years old kid. The fact that I can so easily devour those huge-ass portions is testament to my being a pig and not really cause for celebration, in my opinion.

I don't really mind but I find it fascinating. So am I imagining stuff or is this actually a thing? Why?

 

[McDougles]

They want the tip.

 

[Sophia]

This is definitely not a thing I've experienced in Michigan, unless I specifically asked the waiter for suggestions. And I've never had them congratulate me upon finishing a meal...

 

[v1lla21]

To provide good service so you don't go complaining and moreso for you to leave a good tip.

 

[Tubobutts]

It means they are attracted to you.

 

[Hopeford]

My best guess is that they generally want a good tip, so they try to put you in a good mood in sometimes over the top ways. It doesn't bug me or anything when I visit the US, but it does feel like they are one step away from clapping when you finish your food haha.

 

[Neptonic]

huh I've always just accepted it and never really paid any attention to how weird it is

Except when one waitress called me a thirsty flower after my 3rd refill of water, that was weird

 

[Dalek]

To make you clap after your meal.

👏

 

[Drensch]

You're supposed to clap.

edit: Dammit!

To make you clap after your meal.

��

 

[nullset2]

Whu do aemerican clape at the airpoirte?
Why do amercian scream USA USA USA when I walk past mowing the lawn?

 

[Fat4all]

It means they are attracted to you.

totally hitting on you OP

They want the tip.

same thing

 

[Mechazawa]

And even weirder is that they sometimes congratulate me on finishing my meal. Today my (very nice and attentive) waiter congratulated me on finishing all my fish tacos as if I was a six years old kid. The fact that I can so easily devour those huge-ass portions is testament to my being a pig and not really cause for celebration, in my opinion.

Yeah, uh, this ain't normal.

 

[Dalek]

Whu do aemerican clape at the airpoirte?
Why do amercian scream USA USA USA when I walk past mowing the lawn?

"Is this an American thing, I noticed ____________."

 

[Angry Grimace]

Let's just get it out of the way.

 

[Frozenprince]

Because at a restaurant they want to reassure you that the item you picked is a quality one so that you're expectations are higher.

This is a thing everywhere. Not just an American thing.

 

[Dishwalla]

God forbid people act friendly.

 

[Rizific]

So you encountered an enthusiastic waiter, and now this is the dining experience in all of the US.

 

[Trojita]

That's how they get the tip.

 

[Dsyndrome]

To bond with you and get a good tip. Better they tell you that your choice in chicken was a mistake?

 

[blame space]

i do this a lot at my job. it probably comes across as completely fake but sometimes I mean it.

 

[B-Dubs]

They want you in a good mood at the end of the meal so you give them a decent tip.

 

[Staccat0]

Next thread on NeoGaf, "Why do Americans keep bearing their teeth at me and saying the morning is good aligned? Are some mornings evil? Are they going to bite me?"

 

[Maximo]

Im surprised she didn't shout USA USA USA! after you left the table.

 

[thekonamicode]

I've only been congratulated on $30 italian food delivery.

 

[Brunire]

Because most of us are so starved for any sort of positive reinforcement in our lives we will be willing to part with a few extra dollars.

::sobs::

 

[nailbombxx]

Dude chill they're just talking

 

[Fat4all]

i do this a lot at my job. it probably comes across as completely fake but sometimes I mean it.

seems like an odd thing to do when selling people coffins

 

[kendrid]

I am 42, live in America and never once has a waiter congratulate me for finishing a meal.

I have heard "great choice", etc and I've always chalked that up to sucking up for tips.

 

[Attack You]

We need constant reassurance and validation of the choices we make in life.

 

[daviyoung]

It's always "awesome", "great choice", "that's my favourite" and "cheddar's better" (after saying I wanted cheddar on my omelette).

These sound like callouts from a Japanese rhythm game.

 

[Daingurse]

Because servers in the US make the bulk of their money from tips.

 

[100%TrophyMaster]

I've had comments when getting my insane refills on Diet Coke lol. I can throw them down

 

[marzlapin]

"Awesome" in that context pretty much means "ok".

 

[Sub_Level]

Well I waited tables for a time and sometimes I would say "alright sounds good" or "cool" after taking orders. It doesn't mean I think what you ordered is cool, its just a general positive acknowledgment that I received your order and am about to enter it into the system.

 

[Staccat0]

This is definitely not a thing I've experienced in Michigan, unless I specifically asked the waiter for suggestions. And I've never had them congratulate me upon finishing a meal...

I just went to Michigan last week. People do it there. Maybe you just don't order well?

 

[fleck0]

I've never been praised for finishing a meal, but the rest is just customer service.

 

[DrSlek]

Did they clap when you finished too?

 

[knkng]

When I worked retail I'd say "awesome" pretty regularly. I wasn't getting tips or commission or anything.

Customer: Can you explain these two products?
*I explain*
Customer: Ok, I'll take this one.
Me: Awesome.

I think it's this thing called communication. It's something humans do to express thoughts and emotions. I could be wrong, though.

 

[NeonBlack]

Did they clap after you finished your meal? They're suppose too.

 

[ZealousD]

OP, you're extrapolating too hard. You're describing things that happen from time to time but it's not universal behavior that happens every time. Friendly service is a major expectation in America, so waitstaff will try to make conversation from time to time. That's all it is.

 

[Aselith]

When I worked retail I'd say "awesome" pretty regularly. I wasn't getting tips or commission or anything.

Customer: Can you explain these two products?
*I explain*
Customer: Ok, I'll take this one.
Me: Awesome.

I think it's this thing called communication. It's something humans do to express thoughts and emotions. I could be wrong, though.

Hugh...mon? What is hugh mon?

 

[Frozenprince]

OP, you're extrapolating too hard. You're describing things that happen from time to time but it's not universal behavior that happens every time. Friendly service is a major expectation in America, so waitstaff will try to make conversation from time to time. That's all it is.

Friendly service is generally the expectation everywhere.

 

[Angry Grimace]

GAFfer confusion via everyday normal things will never fail to amuse.

 

[Hazmat]

I don't think I've ever been congratulated for finishing a meal. Every waiter I've ever had assumes I'm still hungry and want dessert.

The rest is just positive responses to things you say. Rather than say "Yes" or "Ok" as acknowledgement when you say that you want your baked potato with no sour cream they say "Great" or "Awesome." They aren't trying to suck your dick, it's pretty basic communication.

 

[How About No]

So I'm on a road trip in the US (Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and now finishing up in California) and one thing that feels a bit weird is how waiters and waitresses respond to you when you tell them what you want on the menu. It's always "awesome", "great choice", "that's my favourite" and "cheddar's better" (after saying I wanted cheddar on my omelette).

Normal

And even weirder is that they sometimes congratulate me on finishing my meal. Today my (very nice and attentive) waiter congratulated me on finishing all my fish tacos as if I was a six years old kid. The fact that I can so easily devour those huge-ass portions is testament to my being a pig and not really cause for celebration, in my opinion.

Literally one guy

 

[Astral Dog]

They want to spoil you you big foreign pigeon

 

[fallengorn]

Did they clap when you finished too?

Usually you'll get the clap after you give them the tip.

 

[ZealousD]

Friendly service is generally the expectation everywhere.

Not as much as you might think, and not as much as it is in America.

 

[Staccat0]

I've never been praised for finishing a meal, but the rest is just customer service.

Maybe you don't clean your plate like a good boy? No participation trophies to be had here.

 

[old]

I've never had this.