As a waiter from the UK, basically I’m going to leave you alone after the first check back unless I see an empty glass on the table or you are finished your meal. Most UK guests visit for time with friends and family not for time with a random waiter.
Nailed it. I anticipate an initial check just like "is everything okay with your meal?" or "would you like me to get anything else?" but nothing more after that. Being left to it is far more important to us here.
Totally agree. From a customer's point of view, you don't want the waiter initiating a conversation with you except when they come to take your order at the start of the meal. Good service means that they notice you asking them to come over, not that they bother you every 5 minutes to check if you need anything or if what you are eating is ok. Eating n US restaurants is like being stalked.
That's right, as a customer, the 1st check is courteous, "are you OK with everything ?" After that we want to enjoy our company and rhe meal , not reassure a waiter or waitress that my food is fine every 5-10 minutes
i appreciate that. always find it annoying when they come interrupt a convo just to ask how the food is. if i had a problem id get the waiter’s attention
I'm from England and one time in my town they opened an American owned BBQ restaurant. I worked there as a waiter and the managers made us check on tables every 5 minutes, they didn't understand that we were just pissing off the customers.
How could you call them? Are they standing by the table? I thought you wanted to be left alone. Brots are just dumb as hell and constantly complaining. Europe is NOTORIOUS for absolutely AWFUL customer service. Your monarchy conditioned you for a peasant life. Good puppet.
Maybe if you tipped and didn't go to another country and bring your culture of cheap non tippers to ruin everyone's day, they wouldn't purposely bother you.
No it doesn't btw why do they have to be disingenuous you don't know them and they don't know you they're there to ensure you're enjoying yourself. The brits are the fake ones they act like everything is ok then trash people behind their backs at least Americans get great service and great food. I'm not eating cold food for the sake of not bothering someone I work hard for my money.
It's a very hypocritical state of mind ..This idea u ignore what's happening around u,& 'bury ur head in the sand' but complain later is unhealthy. And depending on the City,State and establishment in the US they do get paid. 'And i've seen Brit people complain about food,Tea etc in the US and in other countries ( Hence the importation of Brit Culture in to Spain serving Brit fry up's and Roast) And the Tip' culture in the US work's it motivates workers to give more than just a average& resentful service. P.S I've lived in both countries.
Brit who used to work in hospitality: if you’re monitoring your tables efficiently, you can tell from how guests are eating if there’s something wrong. If I don’t see signs that something is wrong, I’m not doing a second check-back. One is plenty, and the guests can enjoy their food in peace. If I see an empty glass halfway through a meal, that would be reason enough to ask if I can help with anything, but Brits don’t like to be constantly bothered or interrupted during a meal. It doesn’t feel natural. Would absolutely hope if the meal was cold or incorrect that it would be sent back, although I’m guilty of not sending things back myself! Recently asked to swap tomatoes for mushrooms and they weren’t swapped. I just left the tomatoes and paid 😂
If my food isn't right I apologise but I'm sending it back. I literally don't mind if it goes in a microwave 😅 if it's cold. I like to know the name of my server and I tip but I check if the tip goes to the server if the food was meh but the server was good. I don't trust service charges, I want to know MY server gets that money.
@@DeborahWalkerXOXO I used to work at a bar where card tips never found their way to wait staff. Sucked because we barely ever got tips (whcih is fine), but the few times we did it was always via card. I just started outright telling customers that cash doesn't go to me, even tho my boss told me not to tell them that :P
Its british culture to not bother the staff/staff bother customers but if your food is wrong ask it to be changed. Its good practice for the staff especially for dealing with allergies.
Yeah that was the only bit I disagreed with - if I'm paying, you're getting it right - I was a waitress for 17 years so it's not coming from an entitled place
Have to say they may not complain but I am British and older generation. We say if it's not right believe me 😂 they know . Quite sarcasm works well and when it doesn't you just outright explain what a pile of rubbish you got served 😂😂😂
As someone from the UK who worked as a waiter, I’d do one table check about 5 minutes in to your meal ask if you need anymore drinks then leave you to it until you finished unless you called
@robertcreighton4635 perfectly horrible service. Once at apps, once at meal, once at dessert. If 3 times bother ypu it's because you're a miserable brit. Nothing will change that.
@@FA-il8prIf you’re counting on someone else’s generosity for your salary, you’ve already lost my friend. Good to fall back on but clearly not dependable. Do you tho. 💕
@@ldubb4044 What a high horse you sit on. Or a dumb one. Are you self-employed, creating your own income from scratch? Got you're own off grid farm, typing up a storm on YT? Do you not have a boss or supply chain to answer to? Or just your parents? And my dependance on other people's kindness seems to work out. Americans aren't assholes.
Im from uk and ill deff say something if my foods wrong or cold. I wouldnt be rude about it atall. But id let them know. I also always tip if i call them over for several doffrent things. I dont if they serve me food and bill only.
@@constantinvaldor3742i don't think that's the reason for most people. if you're polite they're not going to hate you for it. i would just feel bad for bothering them
Nah I was with her until she said she’d eat cold expensive ahhh London food and not send it back, like what? And the wrong dish? No way I’m not sending it back.
They're not. You've just never been to a nice restaurant. I've worked in the industry since I was 17. America has the best waiters in the world by far. Checking in is VERY important. They don't wait at your table and they space out the check ins. If you decide you want another appetizer and you have to wait 25 min to see anyone that's bad service. Brits are inbreeding pubdwellers so they don't understand a classy establishment and hugh end service.
I cannot stand being asked if "everything is all right" whilst I am chewing food. I always tip if the staff are efficient but, never, if I have been interrupted.
American service is embarrassing and rude. I don't want someone hanging over me asking me how I am. My biggest ick with American service is that they try and rush your meal. Eating out is an experience not a race!! Because they get paid in tips and need the next party in ASAP. And if something is wrong with my meal I will always tell the staff as that's what they are there for.
Where do they try and rush you? I've never been to a restaurant that has a time limit in the US except maybe NYC. Otherwise you can eat generally quite leisurely.
@@jennifergedrick8260 I was gonna say I was in NYC for the first time last week and experienced this. Not hugely rushy, but bringing the bill out before we’d even asked for it haha.
I didn’t find the service rude at all in the US, but it does feel maybe inauthentic (maybe to a lot of us in the UK), but I get it, they have to be animated and chirpy for tips etc. I think when I dine out, the friendliness of the service is the last thing I care about. As long as I get what I ordered, it’s good and arrives in good time I’m happy
@@569rando Ah interesting, and also that does make sense. I was in NYC a few weeks ago and a little surprised by how open everyone was generally, not just in hospitality. Definitely not a bad thing at all tbh
It's not for tips, it is to be nice to your customer. Customer service is to ensure your client has a pleasant experience. Happy and friendly customer exists apart from restaurant culture in America. It is our standard. You will find that your car rental person is happy and tells you to have a good day. They aren't tipped, neither is your bank teller, car wash guy, hotel desk person,. It's just basic cordial service. Y'all need to check your mindsets. I can understand differences, but you all skew to pessimistic and negative. It's a lousy way to be in the world. May America never be that way.
A lot of us can't deal with someone coming over and constantly asking "is everything ok with your meal?" "Can I get you anything else?" Whilst we have mouhtfuls of food or are mid conversation with our dinner partner. We understand that it is polite for them to ask or that they are just doing their job to check, but it seems in recent years that this has become accepted and we are just left to enjoy our didning experience now. If there's an issue there is always someone nearby or passing to ask. Failing that there is usually a bar at which you can go and tell someone your issue.
being born and raised in London I have absolutely no clue what these tings are yapping about. no way am I not sending back a plate of food that doesn’t come correct, I’ve even sent a steak back twice for example. It’s standard, I’m gonna get what I’m paying for or I ain’t paying.
I was thinking the same thing. We are not shy to send food back if it ain’t correct so I don’t know what them 2 we’re talking about. You get what you pay for
@@mariakhan7986 it’s important, with our cost of living things need to be done properly. If they are a tip is always given but if things are not how you want them to be it’s important to feel comfortable enough to express that 👍
I complained about a meal once, I was hormonal after having my daughter and I actually started crying and apologising to the waitress for complaining in the first place 😂 never again!
Speak for yourselves I’m defo not eating food that’s cold, or not what I ordered (unless it was an upgrade 😂). Also it’s not confrontational to politely tell an employee of a restaurant that the order isn’t up to scratch.
I get really annoyed when anyone comes to ask if everything's ok ... I feel like they're interrupting the time with who I'm having a meal with. I also get really annoyed when they start clearing things from the table whilst I'm still eating.
I get caught off guard if a waiter checks on the table when I'm eating. "How is everything for you today?" While I have nearly finished the meal and have a mouthful
Its common in the UK to check on you once, a few minutes into the meal. If there is an issue it can be mentioned or if anything is needed the customer can ask or in case they did not want to confront or call for the waiter/waitress themselves. After that, waitresses/waiters will come to check after the meal is finished or when putting your hand up or waving them down is normal. Or saying "excuse me". Depending how busy it is, its pretty easy to get their attention.
I'm British, if I've paid for a meal I expect it to be perfect. I once got into a (mild)argument with my dad because I wasn't happy with my steak! I will tip if the service is good but I won't tip just because I'm expected to. Front of house should be paid well. My step daughter is front of house and she's an arse to me but she's good at her job, so she should be tipped.
Im a waitress in the UK and i always check if: I've served you your main dish, after about three-five minutes or so, just incase something is wrong with it. If i see empty glasses on your table, incase youd like another drink. Or if youve been sitting at the table with no drinks or food for half an hour to an hour- incase you've changed your mind and you'd like anything else or you're ready to settle up.
A) I've lived in the UK over 10 years and waiter/waitress get paid a lot less here. B) I prefer not being ignored and having to chase after a waiter C) Can someone please explain to me why the people in the UK have such low standards that they never want to bother?
Theres no support in the UK. The feeling is its every man or woman for themselves lol so complaining to someone, even those meant to serve you could be met with utter indifference and coldness. Not even cus the person is unkind - but because everyone is suffering - walking around with a millstone on their neck here. So saying you need help is being utterly at their mercy of a broken crazy lol. Its a crushing feel of weakness and isolation. You can feel it here almost everywhere you go. Everything is cringe, everything is oops i spoke too loud lol I'm very American in my way of doing things and the looks of sheer terror i generate on a daily basis lol some people get very aggressive or passive aggressive back. Even if its their job. Its crazy. It all harks back to the class system and basically the interplay of peasent and king. Americans are raised to think of themselves as kings. However we in UK are told to be quite and know our place. So when someone gets even a hint of power here they often go full karen with it. Its a completely different vibe. I hope this explains it better for you. Its not about standard its about sheer fear
@Iankameel thank you for taking the time to reply, that's very insightful. Don't get me wrong I do love living here but one of the things I wasn't prepared for is the class system and how prevalent it is. It seems (especially in London) people will use their station to justify treating someone just a hair below them poorly
They get paid a lot less but they ALWAYS get paid. The US is a lot more all or nothing. There's more of a safety net here so people settle more and don't ask for as much as people in America. So there's pros and cons to both. I personally prefer a society where everybody eats, even if that means we settle a bit more on things
I’m a natural born English man with Jamaican background. But God! I will complain if restaurants even put salt on left than on right, my missus thinks I’m the most unBritish guy ever 😂 I care about value for money and high service quality. I don’t give a rats arse what people think about me giving ignorant rude, and insolent waiters ‘what for’. if my food is late, cold and disgusting they will get it in the neck and earn 1 star on trustpilot 😂
Yes , you sound like a typical Jamaican and I'm guessing being from that persuasion you probably suck your teeth when your given your own medicine back
As a Swede. I agree with the American view. Waiters should check if everything is alright. It’s makes me as a customers feel more welcome. Here they don’t rely on tipping but they are still expected to do their job and take care of the customers
This is so true. I am an Aussie who spent 16 yrs in UK (I have dual citizenship now). I was competent in a cooking competition requiring you to plan a dinner party fir 4 and cook & present within 3hrs. I held several dinner parties trialing different dishes on a group of British friens of mine. It was so so hard to get any constructive criticism...they just kept complimenting me. I basically had to beg for points I could improve.😂
Here in Ireland, waiters are on the same kinda hourly rate as retail workers, like €12 an hour. Tips are just a bonus that is less likely the more you annoy customers by constantly interrupting their meal… if we need something, we will deffo tell you here 😊❤️🇮🇪
i had an american manager (i live in uk) who made us constantly check in w customers and she couldn’t understand that we were loosing customers for being too in their face and it was getting annoying. brits just want to shop in piece and do their thing, they don’t want to be hounded
@@davidboult4143 So you'd be happy to pay for something that was horrible? I believe, if you bring attention to something that is not optimal, a good business would want to know so they can improve their standards. May I ask what you do for a living?
@@jennifergedrick8260 would you want something back from the kitchen that was even worse? Discretion prevents me from spelling it out for you. Refuse to pay by all means, but do not ask for a replacement.
If I got the wrong dish I would politely call the waiter over and ensure, politely, that I get the right dish. If it is cold and I expected hot, I'd politely....you get it. Maybe it is an age thing. When I was younger I'd do the same as these young ladies. But now I'm older I expect to get what I paid for. If a waiter came around too much I'd think they're trying to rush me.
At the shops I'll never call for one of the retail workers if I'm looking for something, I just keep going round and round till I find it 😂 I get the wrong meal or a cold meal at a restaurant, I just eat it anyway. At fast food joints I always clear the table and throw away the rubbish in the bin before leaving I think it's just in our nature to go out of the way to not bother someone
I remember watching comedic sketches where a violinist would approach a couple having a romantic meal out which is some sort of next level madnes. I don't know if this was an actual thing back in the day but I've never personally experienced or witnessed it. 😂
As an American in the UK, I would complain if it's something that bothered me. I got the wrong pancakes today but they looked delicious and that menu item cost 1 pound extra (upgrade). Don't care about friendly service but it's a nice-to-have. If something was served against my dietary restrictions or messed up something I was looking forward to I would absolutely complain. Being assertive in the UK is like a superpower lol.
I have refused to pay for 4 haircuts in my life because I didn't get what I asked for. My mates act like I'm committing a crime against British culture. They just wait two weeks and go somewhere else.
I went to a restaurant where you have a sign on your table that you flip if you want assistance. One was in NY Bubba Gump, the other was in London but a random place and can't remember the name, it was in Camden
Not wanting to bother the waiter is SO british! I recently went to a restaurant with my cousin and they ordered cake that unexpectedly came with white chocolate curls. My cousin is super allergic to white chocolate but felt guilty about complaining so I went to the counter and asked for one without curls. They apologised and replaced it pretty quickly :) I don't consider our waitstaff rude because they're just respecting that you're there to eat, not make a new friend 😅
From someone who’s works in hospitality if you’re give em the wrong dish/drink you should definitely say something, chances are someone else has been given your order, and would be a simple correction, things get complicated when your trying to track down the mistake with no idea where it’s gone.
When i was in Boston 2017 I had to tell the staff to leave our group alone mainly because they were interrupting our conversation flow. If we needed something we'd ask.
I'm in Wales and staff will always come over about 5 mins after food has been served to ask if everything is OK with the food or if we need anything and I will send food back if it isn't right. I'm not rude about it but if I'm paying for it then it needs to be done properly
That's just meekness. In Britain you should be polite but not to the point you're being walked all over. I'm happy to be left alone by waiters (I don't like the hovering) but will wait for one to pass me so I can ask them for something I need. If my food is incorrect, I'll ask for it to be changed. None of that is rude, it is the waiters' job to help. It's a very strange but increasingly common mindset to allow yourself to be unhappy when there is a non disruptive way to get out of it.
I hate it if people are too customer service it’s annoying leave me alone I’ll come too you if I need help, most of the time Iam competent enough to help myself I don’t need someone else too do it 🤷♀️
It’s not about the money as much as it’s about customer service. Thats big business in America. They have training classes to teach you how to provide great customer service in Hospitality. That’s a real thing in America. It’s beyond tipping in restaurants. It’s in this industry to cater to customers.
As a Brit, I’ve noticed someone might come round and ask if everything is ok just once which tbh I wished they wouldn’t because I usually have my mouth full and have to try and mutter yes lovely thanks. I don’t get how it can even be legal to not pay waiters and waitresses a proper wage in America. It’s such a messed up way of doing things, I can understand why they get so vexed.
These young ladies are not a cross section of the average brit. If the food is wrong or cold most brits would raise the issue immediately (albeit politely).
Lmao I used to work sales and the store manager would pester me on how I got so many sales without constantly checking on people. I told her well I help people when they need it because otherwise it’s just annoying. She never did understand
I have been served the wrong dish recently Only reason i told staff is be because i loved whatever it was that they gave me and i wanted to thank them for the mistake They offered me 10% and a free drink to apologise I accepted the drink not the discount lol
I find in the UK the service from hospitality staff is normally pretty good and professional,it's attentive but not overly conspicuous, personally this is what I want instead of effectively being badgered consistently.
British people vote with their feet, If the food is bad a restaurant they just don't go back to the restaurant. That's actually why I think restaurants aren't very good in the UK. When the food is bad they have no idea because nobody says anything people just stop going.
i mean we defo say something if it’s wrong, they’re too nice, but we’re not mean (generally) and won’t make your lives hell, waiters also get paid fair wage & if they’re in a wealthier area or it’s like seasonal (christmas, new year etc) tips are given more but nobody expects it.. it’s up to your employer to pay you, not the customers
Most Brits would send food back if it was cold. Personally, I would accept a wrong order only if I was happy with the alternative dish as I wouldn't want to cause a fuss or any waste.
Yes if it's the wrong dish or it's cold I will ask for assistance. Check once unless called, otherwise I'm there to enjoy my time with whoever I'm there with.
I'm a server in the US. My colleague moved to the UK for 6 months and came back complaining about how you can't make money in food service in the UK. He came back to work as a server in the US because it's a better job here.
I've been to restaurants where the staff hovered and interrupted and its rare that Ive returned. I want great service but i also want to be left alone with my guests or I want to be left alone if Im dining alone.
My pet peeve is when a server won't leave me tf alone! In America they act so pally pally until the second the bill is paid then they switch and try to kick you out to make room for their next table. God forbid if you tip 20% or more.
Usually you just get the check for whether everyone likes the food. Theres nothing else youd really need besides ordering and paying. If you need something you can just wave someone down politely and ask
About 30 years ago I had lunch at Rules, one of the oldest restaurants in London, and left disappointed in 2 counts. 1) very small portions to the extent I had to have a sandwich afterwards; 2) the waiter kept bothering us every 5 minutes. My friend and I were trying to have a private chat but this waiter just wouldn't leave us alone. I have never returned and would never recommend this place. Avoid. If this is the level of "service" in the USA then keep it there. Its not welcome here
Im British. (Not born and bred, though). My mom is British and I moved to London 8 yrs ago. If my dish is cold, then I do call the waiter and ask them to reheat. If I am paying for it, then I shouldn't have to eat it cold.
Waiters and waitresses do check on you. I don’t know any one who wouldn’t send back an incorrect dish or ask for a cold one to be warmed up. Suggesting that just because in the uk waiting staff get paid a proper wage and not with tips means the service is not good is just plain incorrect. Restaurants rely on good reviews, bad service therefore affects their ratings. The tipping culture in the us is crazy. I would rather just pay more for my meal than have be responsible for bringing up an employee’s wages through donation, because ultimately this is what it is.
As a waiter from the UK, basically I’m going to leave you alone after the first check back unless I see an empty glass on the table or you are finished your meal. Most UK guests visit for time with friends and family not for time with a random waiter.
Nailed it. I anticipate an initial check just like "is everything okay with your meal?" or "would you like me to get anything else?" but nothing more after that. Being left to it is far more important to us here.
Totally agree. From a customer's point of view, you don't want the waiter initiating a conversation with you except when they come to take your order at the start of the meal. Good service means that they notice you asking them to come over, not that they bother you every 5 minutes to check if you need anything or if what you are eating is ok. Eating n US restaurants is like being stalked.
That's right, as a customer, the 1st check is courteous, "are you OK with everything ?" After that we want to enjoy our company and rhe meal , not reassure a waiter or waitress that my food is fine every 5-10 minutes
i appreciate that. always find it annoying when they come interrupt a convo just to ask how the food is. if i had a problem id get the waiter’s attention
As do British people: if they have a problem or need something else, they will attract the waiters' attention without ado.@@leeshapon
“Maybe because they actually get paid”😂😂😂
US servers have a WAY higher top end for serving, like 100k.
Who cares? That isn't the majority of servers who get paid a completely unlivable wage @hereforthecomments258
@@hereforthecomments258you know exactly what he means stop it
so once they get paid, they get lazy?
@@hereforthecomments258 no they don’t stop lying 😂
I'm from England and one time in my town they opened an American owned BBQ restaurant. I worked there as a waiter and the managers made us check on tables every 5 minutes, they didn't understand that we were just pissing off the customers.
Bit sad them not understanding. I hate being pestered
Yes, I get pissed off,if I need something I would let them know
Are they still open? Don't hover!
😂🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💫
I’m an American and I’d hate that. Unless I need a refill please leave me be
Waiters in the US overcheck their tables. To a certain extend, they're almost bothering their clients. At least, it's how I feel.
When visiting the US I don’t enjoy eating at restaurants at all
Similar here in the UK but I've noticed it's only when the waiter is foreign. Then again, I only ever go to foreign restaurants.
@keifer7813 Effing racist comment.
Init, I've seen the vids. I'd end up flipping and saying "if you bother me while im eating 1 more time, no tip"
Because they are pushed to do so
The constant check ins & conversations come across disingenuous in the states. One check in is fine unless we’ve called them.
💯
How could you call them? Are they standing by the table? I thought you wanted to be left alone. Brots are just dumb as hell and constantly complaining. Europe is NOTORIOUS for absolutely AWFUL customer service. Your monarchy conditioned you for a peasant life. Good puppet.
Maybe if you tipped and didn't go to another country and bring your culture of cheap non tippers to ruin everyone's day, they wouldn't purposely bother you.
No it doesn't btw why do they have to be disingenuous you don't know them and they don't know you they're there to ensure you're enjoying yourself. The brits are the fake ones they act like everything is ok then trash people behind their backs at least Americans get great service and great food. I'm not eating cold food for the sake of not bothering someone I work hard for my money.
How is it disingenuous? They genuinely want to make sure you're having a good time lol
Brit culture is to be polite in public but chat the utmost breeze the second you leave
Exactly, you're just fake...
this!!!!!!!
Well said, well said 😂
I'm guilty of this 😂
It's a very hypocritical state of mind ..This idea u ignore what's happening around u,& 'bury ur head in the sand' but complain later is unhealthy.
And depending on the City,State and establishment in the US they do get paid.
'And i've seen Brit people complain about food,Tea etc in the US and in other countries ( Hence the importation of Brit Culture in to Spain serving Brit fry up's and Roast)
And the Tip' culture in the US work's it motivates workers to give more than just a average& resentful service.
P.S I've lived in both countries.
Brit who used to work in hospitality: if you’re monitoring your tables efficiently, you can tell from how guests are eating if there’s something wrong. If I don’t see signs that something is wrong, I’m not doing a second check-back. One is plenty, and the guests can enjoy their food in peace. If I see an empty glass halfway through a meal, that would be reason enough to ask if I can help with anything, but Brits don’t like to be constantly bothered or interrupted during a meal. It doesn’t feel natural. Would absolutely hope if the meal was cold or incorrect that it would be sent back, although I’m guilty of not sending things back myself! Recently asked to swap tomatoes for mushrooms and they weren’t swapped. I just left the tomatoes and paid 😂
The problem is people don't know how to monitor the tables. I've spent ages just trying to catch someone's eye for a drink or even to get the bill.
@@Akuu820stick your hand, give a little wave but never click your fingers
@@rojdancam1676Deffo!
If my food isn't right I apologise but I'm sending it back. I literally don't mind if it goes in a microwave 😅 if it's cold. I like to know the name of my server and I tip but I check if the tip goes to the server if the food was meh but the server was good. I don't trust service charges, I want to know MY server gets that money.
@@DeborahWalkerXOXO I used to work at a bar where card tips never found their way to wait staff. Sucked because we barely ever got tips (whcih is fine), but the few times we did it was always via card. I just started outright telling customers that cash doesn't go to me, even tho my boss told me not to tell them that :P
Its british culture to not bother the staff/staff bother customers but if your food is wrong ask it to be changed. Its good practice for the staff especially for dealing with allergies.
Yeah that was the only bit I disagreed with - if I'm paying, you're getting it right - I was a waitress for 17 years so it's not coming from an entitled place
Have to say they may not complain but I am British and older generation. We say if it's not right believe me 😂 they know . Quite sarcasm works well and when it doesn't you just outright explain what a pile of rubbish you got served 😂😂😂
As someone from the UK who worked as a waiter, I’d do one table check about 5 minutes in to your meal ask if you need anymore drinks then leave you to it until you finished unless you called
You're a terrible server. One check in! Ahahahahaha. That's why everyone talks about the shitty service in the UK. Lazy as hell.
Perfect 🎉
@robertcreighton4635 perfectly horrible service. Once at apps, once at meal, once at dessert. If 3 times bother ypu it's because you're a miserable brit. Nothing will change that.
Civilised
...but it's best if customers don't call, a silent gesture is best appreciated by waiters and other diners alike.
As an American, I love it! I’ve always hated tip culture and those who try to make the customer feel guilty for not doing what the employers won’t do.
Join us in Blighty 🇬🇧
Tips provide a better living wage than hourly. Just say you're cheap and eat at home.
@@FA-il8prIf you’re counting on someone else’s generosity for your salary, you’ve already lost my friend. Good to fall back on but clearly not dependable. Do you tho. 💕
@@ldubb4044 What a high horse you sit on. Or a dumb one. Are you self-employed, creating your own income from scratch? Got you're own off grid farm, typing up a storm on YT? Do you not have a boss or supply chain to answer to? Or just your parents? And my dependance on other people's kindness seems to work out. Americans aren't assholes.
I once said thank you to an atm 😂
If someone steps on my foot I say sorry 😂
I'm proper British 👌
True man of culture 😅😅 I know the atm machine actually blushed!
If I bump into inanimate objects I apologise 😂 so British
my partner still laughs because I say thanks to Alexa when I ask her to turn off 😂 it’s our nation mate we are a weird bunch
Can't think of anything worse than the wait staff checking in on you all the time - I've a tongue in my head- if I need anything, I'll ask.
Im from uk and ill deff say something if my foods wrong or cold. I wouldnt be rude about it atall. But id let them know. I also always tip if i call them over for several doffrent things. I dont if they serve me food and bill only.
People don't like saying something because they can do something to your food
@@constantinvaldor3742 people are too paranoid, that doesn’t happen. People would be too scared to lose their job
Stop tipping them for doing their jobs. That's how we'll end up like America.
@@keifer7813I never tip
@@constantinvaldor3742i don't think that's the reason for most people. if you're polite they're not going to hate you for it. i would just feel bad for bothering them
I'm actually British. We send food back if its shit.
lol
Fact
Get a refund and leave
Not really, that’s more of an American thing
@@Jib_jibs you pay at the end of the meal not the start lol
Nah I was with her until she said she’d eat cold expensive ahhh London food and not send it back, like what? And the wrong dish? No way I’m not sending it back.
Same.
Depends. If I waited ages, and the dish looks decent anyway, I'd probably just suck it up and eat and then leave a bad review after
Saaaame
Where do you find these people? If my chicken was cold, I would get it changed.
Same.
@@jackiedelvalle that's what I'm saying, we'll also point out that everyone else is on dessert and we still not our chicken
I would never go to a restaurant again if they kept checking on me bruv... Like just give me a pint and let me enjoy my Tuesday
See you next Tuesday 🤣
I want to eat my food in peace. Why would I want a waiter watching me eat
Hate American waiting culture...I would be pissed of if the waiter was at the table all the time
They're not. You've just never been to a nice restaurant. I've worked in the industry since I was 17. America has the best waiters in the world by far. Checking in is VERY important. They don't wait at your table and they space out the check ins. If you decide you want another appetizer and you have to wait 25 min to see anyone that's bad service. Brits are inbreeding pubdwellers so they don't understand a classy establishment and hugh end service.
I cannot stand being asked if "everything is all right" whilst I am chewing food. I always tip if the staff are efficient but, never, if I have been interrupted.
American service is embarrassing and rude. I don't want someone hanging over me asking me how I am. My biggest ick with American service is that they try and rush your meal. Eating out is an experience not a race!! Because they get paid in tips and need the next party in ASAP.
And if something is wrong with my meal I will always tell the staff as that's what they are there for.
Where do they try and rush you? I've never been to a restaurant that has a time limit in the US except maybe NYC. Otherwise you can eat generally quite leisurely.
@@jennifergedrick8260 I was gonna say I was in NYC for the first time last week and experienced this. Not hugely rushy, but bringing the bill out before we’d even asked for it haha.
I didn’t find the service rude at all in the US, but it does feel maybe inauthentic (maybe to a lot of us in the UK), but I get it, they have to be animated and chirpy for tips etc.
I think when I dine out, the friendliness of the service is the last thing I care about. As long as I get what I ordered, it’s good and arrives in good time I’m happy
@@569rando Ah interesting, and also that does make sense. I was in NYC a few weeks ago and a little surprised by how open everyone was generally, not just in hospitality. Definitely not a bad thing at all tbh
It's not for tips, it is to be nice to your customer. Customer service is to ensure your client has a pleasant experience. Happy and friendly customer exists apart from restaurant culture in America. It is our standard. You will find that your car rental person is happy and tells you to have a good day. They aren't tipped, neither is your bank teller, car wash guy, hotel desk person,. It's just basic cordial service. Y'all need to check your mindsets. I can understand differences, but you all skew to pessimistic and negative. It's a lousy way to be in the world. May America never be that way.
They usually ask once if everything's ok. After that, you're on ya own
I hate it when the waiter or waitress checks on me too much. Please just let me have my conversation without interruption!
These ladies are correct, the British way is to tut loudly and carry on.
A lot of us can't deal with someone coming over and constantly asking "is everything ok with your meal?" "Can I get you anything else?" Whilst we have mouhtfuls of food or are mid conversation with our dinner partner. We understand that it is polite for them to ask or that they are just doing their job to check, but it seems in recent years that this has become accepted and we are just left to enjoy our didning experience now. If there's an issue there is always someone nearby or passing to ask. Failing that there is usually a bar at which you can go and tell someone your issue.
In Japan, they don't check on you. I love it
@@keifer7813 I'm good with that
Because it's annoying to the customer that some random person keeps asking, "is everything ok"
False politeness sucks - cuz Brits aren’t actually / substantively polite…
Eh? Politeness just means following the social conventions of the place you are in.
being born and raised in London I have absolutely no clue what these tings are yapping about. no way am I not sending back a plate of food that doesn’t come correct, I’ve even sent a steak back twice for example. It’s standard, I’m gonna get what I’m paying for or I ain’t paying.
Nice try but not convincing. Drop the updated Dick Van Dyke impression and we may have believed you.
@ when the shoe is on the other foot a tip is always given. You do things properly round these parts mate.
I was thinking the same thing. We are not shy to send food back if it ain’t correct so I don’t know what them 2 we’re talking about. You get what you pay for
OK... Good for you ig.
@@mariakhan7986 it’s important, with our cost of living things need to be done properly. If they are a tip is always given but if things are not how you want them to be it’s important to feel comfortable enough to express that 👍
I complained about a meal once, I was hormonal after having my daughter and I actually started crying and apologising to the waitress for complaining in the first place 😂 never again!
Speak for yourselves I’m defo not eating food that’s cold, or not what I ordered (unless it was an upgrade 😂). Also it’s not confrontational to politely tell an employee of a restaurant that the order isn’t up to scratch.
I get really annoyed when anyone comes to ask if everything's ok ... I feel like they're interrupting the time with who I'm having a meal with. I also get really annoyed when they start clearing things from the table whilst I'm still eating.
I get caught off guard if a waiter checks on the table when I'm eating. "How is everything for you today?" While I have nearly finished the meal and have a mouthful
Its common in the UK to check on you once, a few minutes into the meal. If there is an issue it can be mentioned or if anything is needed the customer can ask or in case they did not want to confront or call for the waiter/waitress themselves. After that, waitresses/waiters will come to check after the meal is finished or when putting your hand up or waving them down is normal. Or saying "excuse me". Depending how busy it is, its pretty easy to get their attention.
I'm Irish and I would never send food back in case someone did something gross to its replacement.
True. Returned with a portion of gentleman's relish
Road Trip 😂
I feel like this is just anxiety lmao
I'm British, if I've paid for a meal I expect it to be perfect. I once got into a (mild)argument with my dad because I wasn't happy with my steak! I will tip if the service is good but I won't tip just because I'm expected to. Front of house should be paid well. My step daughter is front of house and she's an arse to me but she's good at her job, so she should be tipped.
Im a waitress in the UK and i always check if:
I've served you your main dish, after about three-five minutes or so, just incase something is wrong with it.
If i see empty glasses on your table, incase youd like another drink.
Or if youve been sitting at the table with no drinks or food for half an hour to an hour- incase you've changed your mind and you'd like anything else or you're ready to settle up.
What? They do, as soon as you take a bite....
"Is everything ok?"….
Answering back with my mouth full.
A) I've lived in the UK over 10 years and waiter/waitress get paid a lot less here.
B) I prefer not being ignored and having to chase after a waiter
C) Can someone please explain to me why the people in the UK have such low standards that they never want to bother?
Theres no support in the UK. The feeling is its every man or woman for themselves lol so complaining to someone, even those meant to serve you could be met with utter indifference and coldness. Not even cus the person is unkind - but because everyone is suffering - walking around with a millstone on their neck here. So saying you need help is being utterly at their mercy of a broken crazy lol. Its a crushing feel of weakness and isolation. You can feel it here almost everywhere you go. Everything is cringe, everything is oops i spoke too loud lol I'm very American in my way of doing things and the looks of sheer terror i generate on a daily basis lol some people get very aggressive or passive aggressive back. Even if its their job. Its crazy. It all harks back to the class system and basically the interplay of peasent and king. Americans are raised to think of themselves as kings. However we in UK are told to be quite and know our place. So when someone gets even a hint of power here they often go full karen with it. Its a completely different vibe. I hope this explains it better for you. Its not about standard its about sheer fear
@Iankameel thank you for taking the time to reply, that's very insightful.
Don't get me wrong I do love living here but one of the things I wasn't prepared for is the class system and how prevalent it is. It seems (especially in London) people will use their station to justify treating someone just a hair below them poorly
They get paid a lot less but they ALWAYS get paid. The US is a lot more all or nothing. There's more of a safety net here so people settle more and don't ask for as much as people in America.
So there's pros and cons to both. I personally prefer a society where everybody eats, even if that means we settle a bit more on things
@@jennifergedrick8260 go back to the us then
We get it, you're American and want to be babied by a waiter hanging off your every word and basically in your conversation *eyeroll*
I’m a natural born English man with Jamaican background. But God! I will complain if restaurants even put salt on left than on right, my missus thinks I’m the most unBritish guy ever 😂 I care about value for money and high service quality. I don’t give a rats arse what people think about me giving ignorant rude, and insolent waiters ‘what for’. if my food is late, cold and disgusting they will get it in the neck and earn 1 star on trustpilot 😂
Yes , you sound like a typical Jamaican and I'm guessing being from that persuasion you probably suck your teeth when your given your own medicine back
As a Swede. I agree with the American view. Waiters should check if everything is alright. It’s makes me as a customers feel more welcome.
Here they don’t rely on tipping but they are still expected to do their job and take care of the customers
This is so true. I am an Aussie who spent 16 yrs in UK (I have dual citizenship now). I was competent in a cooking competition requiring you to plan a dinner party fir 4 and cook & present within 3hrs. I held several dinner parties trialing different dishes on a group of British friens of mine. It was so so hard to get any constructive criticism...they just kept complimenting me. I basically had to beg for points I could improve.😂
The NHL should be paying this guy....
Get what you're given. Life is a roll of the dice.
Here in Ireland, waiters are on the same kinda hourly rate as retail workers, like €12 an hour. Tips are just a bonus that is less likely the more you annoy customers by constantly interrupting their meal… if we need something, we will deffo tell you here 😊❤️🇮🇪
The wait staff leave you alone because they're not in a rush to get you out of the door. If you want something just ask.
Exactly it's called PAY not a bribe (tips)!!!
i had an american manager (i live in uk) who made us constantly check in w customers and she couldn’t understand that we were loosing customers for being too in their face and it was getting annoying. brits just want to shop in piece and do their thing, they don’t want to be hounded
I would never send food back to the kitchen, to have it returned. People will know exactly why!
Word 👊🏾
@@davidboult4143 So you'd be happy to pay for something that was horrible? I believe, if you bring attention to something that is not optimal, a good business would want to know so they can improve their standards. May I ask what you do for a living?
@@jennifergedrick8260 would you want something back from the kitchen that was even worse? Discretion prevents me from spelling it out for you. Refuse to pay by all means, but do not ask for a replacement.
@@davidboult4143 I wouldn't ask for it to be remade
@@jennifergedrick8260 good, but your naïvety is quite touching.
If I got the wrong dish I would politely call the waiter over and ensure, politely, that I get the right dish. If it is cold and I expected hot, I'd politely....you get it. Maybe it is an age thing. When I was younger I'd do the same as these young ladies. But now I'm older I expect to get what I paid for. If a waiter came around too much I'd think they're trying to rush me.
At the shops I'll never call for one of the retail workers if I'm looking for something, I just keep going round and round till I find it 😂
I get the wrong meal or a cold meal at a restaurant, I just eat it anyway.
At fast food joints I always clear the table and throw away the rubbish in the bin before leaving
I think it's just in our nature to go out of the way to not bother someone
I remember watching comedic sketches where a violinist would approach a couple having a romantic meal out which is some sort of next level madnes. I don't know if this was an actual thing back in the day but I've never personally experienced or witnessed it. 😂
As an American in the UK, I would complain if it's something that bothered me. I got the wrong pancakes today but they looked delicious and that menu item cost 1 pound extra (upgrade). Don't care about friendly service but it's a nice-to-have. If something was served against my dietary restrictions or messed up something I was looking forward to I would absolutely complain. Being assertive in the UK is like a superpower lol.
I have refused to pay for 4 haircuts in my life because I didn't get what I asked for. My mates act like I'm committing a crime against British culture. They just wait two weeks and go somewhere else.
I went to a restaurant where you have a sign on your table that you flip if you want assistance. One was in NY Bubba Gump, the other was in London but a random place and can't remember the name, it was in Camden
Not wanting to bother the waiter is SO british! I recently went to a restaurant with my cousin and they ordered cake that unexpectedly came with white chocolate curls. My cousin is super allergic to white chocolate but felt guilty about complaining so I went to the counter and asked for one without curls. They apologised and replaced it pretty quickly :)
I don't consider our waitstaff rude because they're just respecting that you're there to eat, not make a new friend 😅
But also - if the chicken is cold? We eat it, but we don't come back. That's the tradeoff.
Don't forget the scathing review 😉
london culture - my chicken is cold im takin my plate to the kitchen. "ill jusy eat it cold" london mentality. still not bothering the waiter tho 😂
We don't complain, we just don't go back.
I was with them until they say that they would eat their food cold or settling for the wrong meal.
From someone who’s works in hospitality if you’re give em the wrong dish/drink you should definitely say something, chances are someone else has been given your order, and would be a simple correction, things get complicated when your trying to track down the mistake with no idea where it’s gone.
When i was in Boston 2017 I had to tell the staff to leave our group alone mainly because they were interrupting our conversation flow. If we needed something we'd ask.
I'm in Wales and staff will always come over about 5 mins after food has been served to ask if everything is OK with the food or if we need anything and I will send food back if it isn't right. I'm not rude about it but if I'm paying for it then it needs to be done properly
Depends where you’re eating. There’s etiquette and means and ways to communicate with the wait staff without bothering them directly.
As a Brit I still shudder at the memory of when I walked into a restaurant and seated myself…
That's just meekness. In Britain you should be polite but not to the point you're being walked all over.
I'm happy to be left alone by waiters (I don't like the hovering) but will wait for one to pass me so I can ask them for something I need. If my food is incorrect, I'll ask for it to be changed. None of that is rude, it is the waiters' job to help.
It's a very strange but increasingly common mindset to allow yourself to be unhappy when there is a non disruptive way to get out of it.
I feel we’re just more passive aggressive. We’ll say it’s great, eat the food, be polite, leave and never go back and tell everyone we know about it 😂
I hate it if people are too customer service it’s annoying leave me alone I’ll come too you if I need help, most of the time Iam competent enough to help myself I don’t need someone else too do it 🤷♀️
Alright, alright sheesh
If they're paid fully for service, why don't they do it properly? Seems like it should be the other way around.
It’s not about the money as much as it’s about customer service. Thats big business in America. They have training classes to teach you how to provide great customer service in Hospitality. That’s a real thing in America. It’s beyond tipping in restaurants. It’s in this industry to cater to customers.
As a Brit, I’ve noticed someone might come round and ask if everything is ok just once which tbh I wished they wouldn’t because I usually have my mouth full and have to try and mutter yes lovely thanks. I don’t get how it can even be legal to not pay waiters and waitresses a proper wage in America. It’s such a messed up way of doing things, I can understand why they get so vexed.
These young ladies are not a cross section of the average brit. If the food is wrong or cold most brits would raise the issue immediately (albeit politely).
Lmao I used to work sales and the store manager would pester me on how I got so many sales without constantly checking on people. I told her well I help people when they need it because otherwise it’s just annoying. She never did understand
2 airheads. Wouldn't say anything if the waiter brought the wrong dish??
😂 The only airhead is you
I actually prefer this kind of service.
I have been served the wrong dish recently
Only reason i told staff is be because i loved whatever it was that they gave me and i wanted to thank them for the mistake
They offered me 10% and a free drink to apologise
I accepted the drink not the discount lol
I find in the UK the service from hospitality staff is normally pretty good and professional,it's attentive but not overly conspicuous, personally this is what I want instead of effectively being badgered consistently.
Because they actually get paid 😂😂😂 truth
British people vote with their feet, If the food is bad a restaurant they just don't go back to the restaurant. That's actually why I think restaurants aren't very good in the UK. When the food is bad they have no idea because nobody says anything people just stop going.
I never complain, I never send food back. If I don't like it I just never go there again.
i mean we defo say something if it’s wrong, they’re too nice, but we’re not mean (generally) and won’t make your lives hell, waiters also get paid fair wage & if they’re in a wealthier area or it’s like seasonal (christmas, new year etc) tips are given more but nobody expects it.. it’s up to your employer to pay you, not the customers
Most Brits would send food back if it was cold. Personally, I would accept a wrong order only if I was happy with the alternative dish as I wouldn't want to cause a fuss or any waste.
In the US, you go to a restaurant to go the restaurant.
In the UK, you go to a restaurant to hang out with friends.
That's the difference.
Yes if it's the wrong dish or it's cold I will ask for assistance. Check once unless called, otherwise I'm there to enjoy my time with whoever I'm there with.
I'm a server in the US. My colleague moved to the UK for 6 months and came back complaining about how you can't make money in food service in the UK. He came back to work as a server in the US because it's a better job here.
You haven't been to yorkshire. If the food is cold or wrong we will say something to the waitress but we will be kind to them.
I've been to restaurants where the staff hovered and interrupted and its rare that Ive returned. I want great service but i also want to be left alone with my guests or I want to be left alone if Im dining alone.
These ladies are too posh. Ask someone from South London, they will 100% tell you when something is wrong 😂
My pet peeve is when a server won't leave me tf alone! In America they act so pally pally until the second the bill is paid then they switch and try to kick you out to make room for their next table. God forbid if you tip 20% or more.
Usually you just get the check for whether everyone likes the food. Theres nothing else youd really need besides ordering and paying. If you need something you can just wave someone down politely and ask
About 30 years ago I had lunch at Rules, one of the oldest restaurants in London, and left disappointed in 2 counts.
1) very small portions to the extent I had to have a sandwich afterwards;
2) the waiter kept bothering us every 5 minutes. My friend and I were trying to have a private chat but this waiter just wouldn't leave us alone.
I have never returned and would never recommend this place. Avoid. If this is the level of "service" in the USA then keep it there. Its not welcome here
Im British. (Not born and bred, though). My mom is British and I moved to London 8 yrs ago. If my dish is cold, then I do call the waiter and ask them to reheat. If I am paying for it, then I shouldn't have to eat it cold.
I hate when a waiter comes up to my table and asks is everything’s good while my mouth is stuffed with hot wings 😂 we got this one right in the uk
Not just about tipping. I came for a meal and conversation with the person I came with not the waiters.
I am from uk and I would if you brought me the wrong food I’m paying for it 🤣
U.S waiter over checked my table, I thought he liked me 😭😅
It's just the way we are.
Polite to a fault... until you tick us off.
Waiters and waitresses do check on you. I don’t know any one who wouldn’t send back an incorrect dish or ask for a cold one to be warmed up. Suggesting that just because in the uk waiting staff get paid a proper wage and not with tips means the service is not good is just plain incorrect.
Restaurants rely on good reviews, bad service therefore affects their ratings.
The tipping culture in the us is crazy. I would rather just pay more for my meal than have be responsible for bringing up an employee’s wages through donation, because ultimately this is what it is.
Nah I was born here in 89, if I was served the wrong dish I won’t go crazy but I will let them know. But thankfully I haven’t had to!
Its all depends on where you are, the more you spend the more they care