So here is a thing that I do that might make me an asshole. I go out to dinner at a restaurant. Everything is great. The food is great, the service is great, everybody is happy, we’re lingering after the table has been cleared, then…where’s the check? I look around the restaurant. No waitress. Nowhere to be found. Five minutes go by, ten minutes go by, fifteen minutes…finally I see the waitress chatting and carrying on across the room. So I take out my credit card and get up and march across the restaurant and hand it to her, and sit back down.
I don't think it makes you an asshole, but you may want to flip your perspective on why the waiter might not be bringing the check. You mentioned it happened in South Beach, predominantly Latin culture. I lived in South America for many years and it took me awhile to get used to it, but unlike in the USA where they rush you in and out of a restaurant to "turn tables", in Latin America they typically respect that you might actually want to be in the restaurant, chatting with friends, enjoying the company you are with. In other words they value your time. Once I got used to it, now I am actually annoyed by the almost dirty stares you get from your server in the US if you aren't clearing out their table vs. the relaxed approach in Latin America. Of course profits matter I get it, which is why I am a super generous tipper provided the service was decent and I don't linger if there is a crowd waiting. Just another perspective.
I feel just as frustrated having to wait in line at a grocery store, Costco, etc to pay them money.
I understand your looking back and realizing how much you sold your time for at the US Coast Guard, but I think you are under valuing the maturity, handling responsibility, aging, finding your voice, that lets you preform so well now.
One of the things (among many) I love about Japan is that you finish your meal, you get up and pay at the counter near the door whenever you are ready. And no tip ever because the servers are decently paid.
I don't think it makes you an asshole, but you may want to flip your perspective on why the waiter might not be bringing the check. You mentioned it happened in South Beach, predominantly Latin culture. I lived in South America for many years and it took me awhile to get used to it, but unlike in the USA where they rush you in and out of a restaurant to "turn tables", in Latin America they typically respect that you might actually want to be in the restaurant, chatting with friends, enjoying the company you are with. In other words they value your time. Once I got used to it, now I am actually annoyed by the almost dirty stares you get from your server in the US if you aren't clearing out their table vs. the relaxed approach in Latin America. Of course profits matter I get it, which is why I am a super generous tipper provided the service was decent and I don't linger if there is a crowd waiting. Just another perspective.
I feel just as frustrated having to wait in line at a grocery store, Costco, etc to pay them money.
I understand your looking back and realizing how much you sold your time for at the US Coast Guard, but I think you are under valuing the maturity, handling responsibility, aging, finding your voice, that lets you preform so well now.
One of the things (among many) I love about Japan is that you finish your meal, you get up and pay at the counter near the door whenever you are ready. And no tip ever because the servers are decently paid.
Excellent commencement speech. Thanks for the link. It was worth the time!