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Definitely cultural as the other guy said. When I visit the US I imagine I get much the same experience as you but instead of "friendly" and "alert" my descript

by Trundle 10y ago

Definitely cultural as the other guy said. When I visit the US I imagine I get much the same experience as you but instead of "friendly" and "alert" my description would be more "intrusive" and "transparently faking a level of happiness I only experience very infrequently and never while at work."

nommm-nommm 10y ago
I am from the US and I couldn't agree more. The whole fake niceness is just so draining on you to put up with all the time, day in and day out. You aren't my friend, I am just trying to get through my day.
- coldtea 10y ago
  >The whole fake niceness is just so draining on you to put up with all the time, day in and day out. You aren't my friend, I am just trying to get through my day. So, genuine unfriendliness (try France waiters) or rudeness (try a lot of Europe) is better?
  - nommm-nommm 10y ago
    Rudeness is cultural. And yes I'd prefer whatever you consider "rude" that happens Europe, as I've never experienced anything near what I would consider rude in Europe. I'm looking to eat dinner not get a lap dance. Admittedly, I've never been to France specifically.
coldtea 10y ago
>but instead of "friendly" and "alert" my description would be more "intrusive" and "transparently faking a level of happiness I only experience very infrequently and never while at work." I don't require genuine friendliness from waiters. Feigned friendliness and politeness will do just fine, since the purpose is to just get better service, not to make friends with the people at the restaurant. So, the problem is we get it much less in Europe.
- nommm-nommm 10y ago
  Consensus says its not a problem. Europeans (as a group) don't consider that a "bug," its a "feature." Hence the cultural part. Going out to eat is seen as a time to relax and spend time with the company you choose to go out with rather than to be hustled by a stranger. If you are looking for "better service" in Europe it seems you are looking in the wrong places. May I suggest a strip club instead?

by Trundle 10y ago

nommm-nommm 10y ago

I am from the US and I couldn't agree more. The whole fake niceness is just so draining on you to put up with all the time, day in and day out. You aren't my friend, I am just trying to get through my day.

coldtea 10y ago
>The whole fake niceness is just so draining on you to put up with all the time, day in and day out. You aren't my friend, I am just trying to get through my day. So, genuine unfriendliness (try France waiters) or rudeness (try a lot of Europe) is better?
- nommm-nommm 10y ago
  Rudeness is cultural. And yes I'd prefer whatever you consider "rude" that happens Europe, as I've never experienced anything near what I would consider rude in Europe. I'm looking to eat dinner not get a lap dance. Admittedly, I've never been to France specifically.

coldtea 10y ago

>but instead of "friendly" and "alert" my description would be more "intrusive" and "transparently faking a level of happiness I only experience very infrequently and never while at work." I don't require genuine friendliness from waiters. Feigned friendliness and politeness will do just fine, since the purpose is to just get better service, not to make friends with the people at the restaurant. So, the problem is we get it much less in Europe.

nommm-nommm 10y ago
Consensus says its not a problem. Europeans (as a group) don't consider that a "bug," its a "feature." Hence the cultural part. Going out to eat is seen as a time to relax and spend time with the company you choose to go out with rather than to be hustled by a stranger. If you are looking for "better service" in Europe it seems you are looking in the wrong places. May I suggest a strip club instead?