Mail Online
American living in UK learns 'wait staff culture' is very different
Russell Valentin, 31, originally from Chicago, took to TikTok to share the 'hard lesson' he had learned about Americans' restaurant etiquette after g…
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American Expat Discovers Unexpected Cultural Faux Pas in UK Dining
Cultural Etiquette: An American's Revelation on British Politeness London – An American expatriate, known online as Red Bus Russ, recently shared a candid account of a cultural misunderstanding he experienced in the United Kingdom, highlighting a subtle yet significant difference in social etiquette. His experience, recounted in a widely viewed video, centers on the use of polite phrases like "please" and "thank you" in service interactions. Russ described a dinner outing with his girlfriend at an Italian restaurant. When ordering water and later his meal, a Napoli pizza, he used direct language without adding "please." Similarly, after finishing their meal, he simply requested, "We'll take the bill." It was his girlfriend's reaction that brought the cultural oversight to light. "She gave me a look as if I'd killed somebody," Russ stated, recalling her subsequent comment: "That was incredibly rude." Initially perplexed, Russ questioned, "What do you mean? We're ready for the bill." His girlfriend then clarified, "You never said please or thank you." This moment, he explained, was a profound realization. "I realised that wait staff culture is completely messed up in the US," he reflected. "You could be the kindest, most respectful person, but in the US, it's almost never commonplace to throw in 'please' or 'thank you' where it should be. It's almost as if we've been trained like we're ordering from robots." Russ emphasized that he uses polite language in other scenarios, such as at the grocery store or bakery, but the instinct was absent when dealing with restaurant wait staff. He concluded his account by stating, "Thankfully, I've learned the error of my ways. I always say it now." He advised fellow Americans considering a move to the UK or anywhere abroad to "pack your please and thank yous." This anecdote serves as a timely reminder of the nuances of international social customs.
