Why do American waitstaff congratulate you on food choice, finishing meals?
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Saucycarpdog
Member
"Is it just Americans who listen to porn in the same room as their little sister?"
"Why do Americans buy overpriced Italian food?"
"Why do Americans buy overpriced Italian food?"
milanbaros
Member?
The serving staff in the US are so ridiculously over the top enthusiastic you just have to relax and go along with it or it'll drive you mad.
The insincerity of it all can get very grating if you are used to normal human interaction.
The insincerity of it all can get very grating if you are used to normal human interaction.
LizardKing
Member
The real answer is because American servers are expected to be chipper, social, interactive and friendly. Because they know putting on a smile and being a good mood and being a nicer person leads to better tips. You're expected to be this way (both by yourself and others) if you are going to be a successful server and make good tips. So servers learn to be like this while they are at work. It leads to small comments such as that.
It's one of the reasons people see the tipping system leading to better customer service (it's true). This is not to be confused with "I'm saying this = so tip me better." It's just a general expectation that is placed on them to put on an inviting face, so that is how they learn to be.
It's one of the reasons people see the tipping system leading to better customer service (it's true). This is not to be confused with "I'm saying this = so tip me better." It's just a general expectation that is placed on them to put on an inviting face, so that is how they learn to be.
TurboLibre
Member
I'm a bartender/server, and do both of those things.
The "Awesome, cool, good choice" thing is just there for punctuation. To let the customer know we heard the item and need the rest. It's pretty much a nice way of saying "I'm ready for the next item, I have 7 other tables I need to be at now."
The latter is probably them trying to make a joke. I gotta bring my B-level sitcom material to work because that is what plays. We will hear the same "Oh, I hated it" when I'm taking empty plates, daily. So we throw it right back and they eat it up. Sorry. I think it's just as weird as you.
Not entirely. In high volume restaurants your tip doesn't mean too much. I'll make it elsewhere. All I care about is that there aren't any problems.
The "Awesome, cool, good choice" thing is just there for punctuation. To let the customer know we heard the item and need the rest. It's pretty much a nice way of saying "I'm ready for the next item, I have 7 other tables I need to be at now."
The latter is probably them trying to make a joke. I gotta bring my B-level sitcom material to work because that is what plays. We will hear the same "Oh, I hated it" when I'm taking empty plates, daily. So we throw it right back and they eat it up. Sorry. I think it's just as weird as you.
Not entirely. In high volume restaurants your tip doesn't mean too much. I'll make it elsewhere. All I care about is that there aren't any problems.
SuperStiltzkin
Member
Would you return to a restaurant with rude waitstaff? Some restaurants require coutesy of their employees cause they want to maintain a positive reputation so good word can spread. This can't be a foreign concept that's exclusive to America.
milanbaros
Member?
There is a big difference between polite and attentive and the over the top approach by many US waitstaff.
It's not a big deal but can come across as forced and fake.
Clockwork5
Member
Maybe you should go to a nicer restaurant if you want better service.
That's just an extended version of the "turkeys wishing for Christmas" adage with some social commemtary. It's not so much about customer service as it is about the engineering of nature to make humans feel better about themselves.
NoblesseOblige
Banned
Maybe you're just awesome at making great choices of their favorite cheddar meal.
eot
Banned
I've never had it happen in four continents that aren't NA.
jediyoshi
Member
LizardKing
Member
I can see how people would think this way. In the same way as someone from the US would think servers in other places might be more flat, rude or uncaring. People from somewhere in Europe could think what are you so chipper about in the US, while someone from the US might think are you having a bad day or something in Europe. It's just the norms that have come to be expected in each place. Service is objectively better in the US though so it's kind of weird to have a problem with it.
milanbaros
Member?
Not joke posts at all. If you travel a lot then the over the top US restaurant service stands out as lacking sincerity compared to other countries where they tend to just talk to you like a normal human being. Again, it's not a big deal and hardly a serious issue but it is very noticeable.
hydrophilic attack
Member
I normally don't mind, but it's a bit awkward if they come just when I have my entire face and hands stuffed with fish taco or hamburger, so that I can't respond without spraying food everywhere
Robot Pants
Member
Because they've likely tried it and know its good. They might prefer it.
I do it with drinks people order all the time. IF they order MY personal favorite.
Then I force them to clap at gunpoint
I do it with drinks people order all the time. IF they order MY personal favorite.
Then I force them to clap at gunpoint
ZackieChan
Member
I think we have discovered the real problem here. You apparently eat like a goddamned animal.
Alter_Fridge
Member
Let's just get it out of the way.
oh my goooooooooooooood
This pretty much echoes my feelings. I like friendly service but I've had a few moments when it was 'too much'. Noticed it more in southern states.
LookAtMeGo
Member
This thread is the best OP. Good job. Can't wait to read your next thread. This is brilliant. A testament to quality thread posting.
*claps*
*claps*
Alter_Fridge
Member
Same reason they laugh at Jimmy Fallon's 'jokes'
andythinkpad
Member
You want waitstaff be mean to you? Okay.
It's funny in the UK when some of the younger waiters/waitresses will kind of imitate what they've seen Americans say on TV. Like for example saying 'excellent choice' after you choose something from the menu. It's really corny, but depending on my mood I either just ignore it or I can even find it kind of cute cos they're usually like 16-20 year old kids.
Anyway with that said the relentless positivity culture is killing me, too. Waiting tables is probably of the oldest aspects to it. I appreciate a waiter who is friendly but gets to the point and doesn't add any special spice to our interaction...
Anyway with that said the relentless positivity culture is killing me, too. Waiting tables is probably of the oldest aspects to it. I appreciate a waiter who is friendly but gets to the point and doesn't add any special spice to our interaction...
Jack The Nipper
Banned
One thing over another isn't strange. It's all the same. Why you say hello, why you say thank you. Does the thank you really have meaning. Do you really care each time you say it.
If they are honest you won't like that. I'm honest a lot and I can tell you people don't like it.
If they are honest you won't like that. I'm honest a lot and I can tell you people don't like it.
I hope this joke never dies.
Probably just for the tip OP. Flattery will you everywhere.
Earthpainting
Member
Yeah, this is one of those weird little cultural differences. There's a lot of positive reinforcement in the interactions with the waitstaff, and just a weird amount of smiling. I can easily see why you'd do things this way, but as an outsider, it made me feel a little bit uncomfortable. I'm conditioned to be social to friendliness like that, and it became clear very quickly that these people just wanted to get on with their job. It was very much akin to asking how someone's doing out of social obligation, not really caring about the actual answer. Not a huge deal, but definitely something you notice. I can only assume the service industry seems ruder and less approachable abroad if you're used to this.
TanookiTom
Member
I mean I was sometimes a bit overwhelmed (or even annoyed) by the waitstaff in NA coming round every freaking minute to check if "everything is still okay?" but I never had them go overboard like that.
Where is OP from? I think a lot of Europeans can be a bit surprised by this on their first trip to the US.
Where is OP from? I think a lot of Europeans can be a bit surprised by this on their first trip to the US.
Ovek
7Member7
With the size of the portion sizes you get in America I'm not surprised they congratulate you for finishing.
Last time I was in America I ordered some "simple" pancakes what I actually got was some massive tasty monstrosity, if I actually managed to finish that first thing in the morning I would want a standing ovation by everyone in the restaurant.
Last time I was in America I ordered some "simple" pancakes what I actually got was some massive tasty monstrosity, if I actually managed to finish that first thing in the morning I would want a standing ovation by everyone in the restaurant.
every time i've eaten a meal in america the whole wait staff literally crowded round me, cheered me on and then upon finishing they lifted me onto their shoulders and carried me outside singing my name. once we got outside they carried out a ritual sacrifice in my name at the top of a small pyramid and then they carried me around on a litter for the rest of the day.
is this normal?
is this normal?
American waiters are creepy
It's the same with paying. American norms apparently dictate that as soon as you've finished your meal, you need to get the bill, pay and leave. Coming from a culture where it's normal to stay in a restaurant for hours, this just seems incredibly rude.
I don't know man, I find the way most American waitstaff I had experience with very annoying. I just want to dine in peace, I don't need a waiter stalking me in case I want a refill. I will let you know when I want something else to drink, no need to rush to my table literally two seconds after me finishing my drink.
It's the same with paying. American norms apparently dictate that as soon as you've finished your meal, you need to get the bill, pay and leave. Coming from a culture where it's normal to stay in a restaurant for hours, this just seems incredibly rude.
dl77
Member
Horseticuffs
Full werewolf off the buckle
I'm what is, essentially, a customer service manager for a foodservice department in a medical facility. It's a very recent promotion, and I come from a background where I discuss with guests our menu, their many options, and what might be the most prudent choices based on the diet their Doctor and Dietitian have assigned them. It's difficult because, while we need to honor those diets, the guest also has rights. All I can do is suggest healthy options and, if they want to go off the rails, consult with an RD and get clearance.
I used to spend all day on the floors talking to guests and, yeah, I can't tell you how many times I've said something like "Excellent" or "very good choice" after literally anything they select. It's natural behavior at this point. I hope once I get the department to a healthy place, now that I have all that delicious power and glory, that I can spend all day again doing guest rounding and taking orders, and training staff in the proper way to service our clientele.
If you're doing it right, waiting on guests can be a uniquely gratifying and positive experience (or maybe I'm some kinda weird customer service nerd. Our Chef seems to think so.)
Edit: I should say we do not accept tips at my facility. Corporate policy. Healthcare is very strict about this.
I used to spend all day on the floors talking to guests and, yeah, I can't tell you how many times I've said something like "Excellent" or "very good choice" after literally anything they select. It's natural behavior at this point. I hope once I get the department to a healthy place, now that I have all that delicious power and glory, that I can spend all day again doing guest rounding and taking orders, and training staff in the proper way to service our clientele.
If you're doing it right, waiting on guests can be a uniquely gratifying and positive experience (or maybe I'm some kinda weird customer service nerd. Our Chef seems to think so.)
Edit: I should say we do not accept tips at my facility. Corporate policy. Healthcare is very strict about this.
RoadHazard
Gold Member
FTFY
RoadHazard
Gold Member
You must not be American.
Except I am.
RoadHazard
Gold Member
Well, I'm not. What do you have to say to that? Check mate.
Correct. I was surprised about the honest and very good Service in Japan for example. Also they dont like and dont get tips and still love their Job and give their best.