[falsaberN1]

Note I'm not American, the whole "service with a smile" thing sounds like such an "Americana" concept to me at least. And no I'm not saying that, I'm saying that the premise of the article sounds very distant to the culture we got here.

[leephillips]

I am an American, and this false friendliness on the part waiters grates on me and everyone I know. The worst is when they not only smile but introduce themselves, as if we’re meeting at a party or something. I don’t blame them; management requires it. Note that at high quality restaurants, this is uncommon. The waiters there are part of a serious enterprise and take it seriously. But at Olive Garden, be prepared for the servers to practically climb in your lap and show you their photo albums.

[falsaberN1]

That doesn't sound good either. I don't know, if I'm going to eat somewhere at a huge markup I just don't want that annoyed "Ugh, ANOTHER one?" face. I don't chat and much less flirt, I just make an order. It's not uncommon to have the waiter vent at you (unprompted) because they got a degree and only managed to find work as waiters. It's just a lot of negativity for the high prices and not worth it anymore for me.

[leephillips]

What doesn’t sound good? Waiters at good restaurants are not unpleasant. They have a job to do and they know how to do it. They are polite, efficient, and knowledgeable about the menu.

[falsaberN1]

The "climb in your lap and show you their photo albums" part. I wouldn't want that either.

I just want some food without feeling guilty because everyone looks like they are doing me a favor for choosing to eat there, you know?

[leephillips]

I certainly do. Maybe things would be better if everyone had to spend at least a summer in a job like this.

[AndrewOMartin]

"... I've got respect for that. This is a horrible train and you're tearing tickets, of course you're in an awful mood. [A cheesy grin is] the sign of either a liar or a moron."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9PSg0sQyfs