On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 23:21:12 GMT, Puester
> wrote:

> Julia Altshuler wrote:
> >
> > It happened again tonight. We ate the first part of our meal in
> > relative silence since we don't like to talk much as we eat. As we were
> > slowing down, we started talking more. Only when we're in the middle of
> > spirited conversation does the waiter or waitress come over to interupt
> > to ask if everything is alright. I have to take my attention away from
> > my dining companions to pay attention to her to reassure her that
> > everything is fine. (Or it was fine until I was interrupted.)
> >
>
>
> What one person perceives as rudeness, another
> may see as attentiveness. Is it worse to be
> interrupted or to search in vain for a server
> when you might need something? I'm sure it's
> a difficult call for a server who has to keep
> track of many tables.
>

That is the fault of management. Discreet hovering by the
staff means customers won't have to get up and do a chicken
dance just to get their wait staff's attention.