is it rude and inconsiderate for your server to drop the bill along with your food?

[kygman]

Originally Posted by bjh

Anyone heard the phrase: first world problems?

This depends a great deal on the type of place. My favorite diner brings the bill with the food and that's fine with me. I wouldn't expect that in a fine restaurant. But in more ordinary places a lot of servers have been trained to do that because that's what their clientele expect. Or they have been trained poorly or not at all. Some are struggling to make their rent, maybe to feed their kid(s). Some are college kids trying to get through school.

I give them all the benefit of the doubt and would never short them on the tip for bringing the bill with the food.

When paying they may have been trained to ask, do you need change, or they may not have examined the bill they were handed. Again, benefit of the doubt.

I don't see a thing wrong with getting the bill with your food. Just because they give it to you then doesn't mean you have to hurry and pay. I'm not that picky about things. If they give it to me with the food, fine! If they give it to us after we eat, fine!

I'm not that whiny!

[elnina]

For me, the bill with the meal means - eat your food and go! Don't linger, don't have conversation - that will not increase our tip, so just pay and leave. We need the table.
The waiter already figured it out that I won't be eating dessert, or have a glass of wine after the meal. Well... that's rude, and that's their loss!

Here is a pretty good article about it: (and read the comments too)
Why do waiters in American restaurants give you the bill even if you have not asked for it?
http://www.quora.com/Why-do-waiters-...t-asked-for-it

Another thing that I find rude (or poor service) is clearing menus after the order has been placed. What if I want to add another side dish to my meal? or after getting a glass of water, decide to have a glass of wine? Or extra salad? Or dessert? Or check the prices when in doubt, after the bill arrives?
I have to flag down the waiter again, ask for the menu, then wait for him to come back and take the order, then wait for the additional food to arrive - all while my food is getting colder. Having menu on hand would just be so much easier.
I usually tell that I want keep (at least one) menu, but that often meets an evil eye...

However annoying those practices are to me, I do understand that those might be approved American standards, that meet general customers wishes, and business profile. Different countries and cultures have different approaches that fit local desires.

[Bluesmama]

I don't think this would bother me much as long as the server stays on the ball. If she/he still checks up on the customers, offers dessert, or is around to bring you a requested box to go, then that could be forgiven. But if the server leaves the bill and disappears, that would NOT make me happy.

Actually, it's the opposite problem I complain about the most - waiting and waiting for the server to return with the bill, particularly if I have to return to work.

[rainroosty]

Originally Posted by elnina

For me, the bill with the meal means - eat your food and go! Don't linger, don't have conversation - that will not increase our tip, so just pay and leave. We need the table.
The waiter already figured it out that I won't be eating dessert, or have a glass of wine after the meal. Well... that's rude, and that's their loss!

Here is a pretty good article about it: (and read the comments too)
Why do waiters in American restaurants give you the bill even if you have not asked for it?
Why do waiters in American restaurants give you the bill even if you have not asked for it? - Quora

Another thing that I find rude (or poor service) is clearing menus after the order has been placed. What if I want to add another side dish to my meal? or after getting a glass of water, decide to have a glass of wine? Or extra salad? Or dessert? Or check the prices when in doubt, after the bill arrives?
I have to flag down the waiter again, ask for the menu, then wait for him to come back and take the order, then wait for the additional food to arrive - all while my food is getting colder. Having menu on hand would just be so much easier.
I usually tell that I want keep (at least one) menu, but that often meets an evil eye...

However annoying those practices are to me, I do understand that those might be approved American standards, that meet general customers wishes, and business profile. Different countries and cultures have different approaches that fit local desires.

I'm SO much in agreement with you in every aspect!

[animalcrazy]

I prefer to have the bill dropped off with the meal. I'm usually in a hurry and it keeps me from ordering dessert, which I would rather have instead of the meal.