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> When you call cust sup in Europe, the service is way worst. I remember a sign at a Mac Donald's in New York that said something like "if the waiter doesn't s

> When you call cust sup in Europe, the service is way worst. I remember a sign at a Mac Donald's in New York that said something like "if the waiter doesn't smile, you get a free burger". In Europe you may not get the forced smile, but it doesn't mean the service is worse. Overall, I'd say the service is slightly better in the US, but you can see it's totally fake and I find it a little bit disturbing.

ido 10y ago
Having to wait a much longer time till waiters acknowledge you in the German-speaking countries is certainly a bigger part of it than the smiling or lack there of.
- pbhjpbhj 10y ago
  Is that just "design" of the culture though? If you're working 20% less of the time you've more time to relax; perhaps then you don't need to stress if you've a little more time to chat before your strudel arrives. Personally I hate it when you've only just sat down and the waiter is asking what you want, especially if it's a big menu and you've arrived at a meal time.
  - touristtam 10y ago
    And I hate when you have to wait 20 min for the "garcon de cafee" to even notice you have finished and want the bill.
    - ido 10y ago
      Right, you can tell an early waiter you need a couple more minutes, but you can't (easily) tell a late waiter to come early. What's even more annoying than them not coming on their own is that they actively try to avoid eye contact.
k__ 10y ago
Most of the time I feel like US or UK people are fake, because of all the forced smalltalk. Yes, this is their culture and I respect it, but I just don't feel comfortable with it :/
- Accacin 10y ago
  I must live in a different part of the UK than you, because I rarely get any small talk. Yes, they do come and ask if everything's okay, but that's it really. When I visited the US it was like every 5mins asking if I wanted anything else, a drink, etc., etc.
  - tstrimple 10y ago
    I thought small talk was illegal in the UK.
- ionised 10y ago
  Never heard the UK accused of forced small talk before. The US on the other hand...

ido 10y ago

Having to wait a much longer time till waiters acknowledge you in the German-speaking countries is certainly a bigger part of it than the smiling or lack there of.

pbhjpbhj 10y ago
Is that just "design" of the culture though? If you're working 20% less of the time you've more time to relax; perhaps then you don't need to stress if you've a little more time to chat before your strudel arrives. Personally I hate it when you've only just sat down and the waiter is asking what you want, especially if it's a big menu and you've arrived at a meal time.
- touristtam 10y ago
  And I hate when you have to wait 20 min for the "garcon de cafee" to even notice you have finished and want the bill.
  - ido 10y ago
    Right, you can tell an early waiter you need a couple more minutes, but you can't (easily) tell a late waiter to come early. What's even more annoying than them not coming on their own is that they actively try to avoid eye contact.

k__ 10y ago

Most of the time I feel like US or UK people are fake, because of all the forced smalltalk. Yes, this is their culture and I respect it, but I just don't feel comfortable with it :/

Accacin 10y ago
I must live in a different part of the UK than you, because I rarely get any small talk. Yes, they do come and ask if everything's okay, but that's it really. When I visited the US it was like every 5mins asking if I wanted anything else, a drink, etc., etc.
- tstrimple 10y ago
  I thought small talk was illegal in the UK.
ionised 10y ago
Never heard the UK accused of forced small talk before. The US on the other hand...