[Koukouvagia]

I saw something like this on Gordon's F-word last week. Many irritating things apply to the US also, although open salt and pepper bowls would never be permitted in the US. I cringe when I see them on the table at people's houses in fact.

Double tipping is something I'm careful about now since it has happened to me here in NYC. I suggest everyone look carefully at your receipt because sometimes they have added gratuity to your bill.

I don't like being forced into turn-over. Being of european origin I like to enjoy my meal at a restaurant without jumping from course to course as speedily as possible. Most Americans are not like this though. They want to eat and they want to get out quickly and usually "allot" themselves a certain amount of time for eating by scheduling something for after dinner like a movie or going to the theater. In Greece where I'm from once a restaurant is full they tell you "sorry, we're full" they don't try to put your name on a list, they just send you away because they don't try to turn over the tables.

What I find most annoying is when I'm handed the check while I'm eating... "whenever you're ready!" It makes me feel rushed. I als don't like being asked "do you need change?" It's rude.

I never like being asked if everything is ok more than once. It's polite for the waiter to come by after the food has been served to see if everything meets your needs but to continuously ask me if I'm ok makes me feel like I'm being babysat. What is actually useful is keeping an eye on me so that if I need something I can get the waiter's attention easily.