The myth of great service at American restaurants

[cameroon95]

We are over here just now and have been to several eateries and would add that at nearly all of them we have had much better service at home .

In fact most of the service is either slightly rude , rushed or we are left waiting on our bill .

It's crazy as an industry dependant on tips they are really not any better than home.
FYI this is our 15th visit , does anyone else agree on this ?

[sophiepop]

I have read on here a long time ago that it was suggested that the servers are no so bothered with the Brits as we are bad tippers, so they leave us till last. I'm not sure about this as we have always had good servers (mostly)

[Smilesonfaces]

Or maybe they think their tip is a sure thing and they don’t need to earn it.
I also found the service to be no different to anywhere I eat at home ( yes I did always tip 20%) Maybe we should have a card to put on the table saying we understand the tipping system so please treat us the same as your other customers !

OP if your server is rude then I would make sure the manager knew and that you would not be leaving a tip. If we wait too long for the bill we get up as if to leave- they soon come then !

[BevS97]

Is it rushed or just not slow? Americans like their food served quickly and would complain if there was a long wait between courses. Europeans prefer a slow leisurely meal and I think Brits are somewhere in between.

[neatfrk]

Is it rushed or just not slow? Americans like their food served quickly and would complain if there was a long wait between courses. Europeans prefer a slow leisurely meal and I think Brits are somewhere in between.

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Perfectly said. We have little patience over here...and want our orders on the table mere moments after we utter our picks. The only exception would be at a 'really nice' restaurant.

[MrsBC]

Originally Posted by Smilesonfaces

OP if your server is rude then I would make sure the manager knew and that you would not be leaving a tip. If we wait too long for the bill we get up as if to leave- they soon come then !

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This is our method too, we ask nicely once, wait 5 mins then I stand up with my bag ...

[mickey house]

Interesting thread, and we have noticed on occasions that some servers have definitely given fair better service to Americans than us.

The service is usually okay but not excellent in most restaurants

[Sue]

We’ve travelled extensively in the USA and I cannot recall ever having bad service. We were once so rushed in a WDW restaurant by the main courses being delivered before we’d eaten our appetisers, that we asked the server to take them away again. She was really nice and explained that most Americans want to eat and leave and advised us that in future, to tell the server that you want a break between courses. We have done that ever since and it’s not been a problem

[pegasus928]

Originally Posted by sophiepop

I have read on here a long time ago that it was suggested that the servers are no so bothered with the Brits as we are bad tippers

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This, as far as I am concerned, is a myth. I have worked with many Americans over the years, both here and abroad, and I always bring up the topic of tipping as I like to get their perspective. I have yet to meet a single one who hasn't been shocked that we tip anywhere near 20% - and as Brits in general don't like the confrontation many will pay whatever is suggested on the bill without question - as I used to until my recent trips when I began to feel I was being taken for a mug.

Originally Posted by Smilesonfaces

Or maybe they think their tip is a sure thing and they don’t need to earn it.

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This, to me, is much closer to the truth and backs up the idea that we will tip whatever is on the bill, and will tip well compared to general opinion. If we didn't tip well I would expect them to raise their game to justify a $50 tip for half an hours work.

[Palm trees]

I've been thinking back through restaurant experiences in Florida and I can't actually remember a bad one. We had slow service on one occasion in one of the parks but the place was heaving so I can't really count that. I know the views on tips vary but my own take on it is just to consider a 20% tip as part of the bill and mentally add it into the cost when I'm looking at the menu. I just see it as part of the cost of the holiday.