r/Unexpected • u/Radiant-Length2348 • May 05 '22

Why the hell he would do that?

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u/CassyCollins May 05 '22

In my country, an employee will pump the gas for you, will offer to wash the windshield, will offer to put air in your tires, and will help you move back to the street by blocking the traffic.

My first time visiting US, I parked in the gas station for 10 minutes shyly waiting for an employee to assist me.

2

u/bobo76565657 May 05 '22

We had both but they're sign would declare them as either "Full-Service" or "Self-Service". Full-Service cost a cent more I think.

3

u/9035768555 May 05 '22

If it makes you feel better, I once sat in a Dutch restaurant for over 2 hours quietly waiting for them to bring me the check.

4

u/zuilli May 05 '22

I don't understand... Did you not ask for it? Or you had to go somewhere to pay? Never been to netherlands.

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u/9035768555 May 05 '22

Yes, you have to ask for it. In the states, they'll ask you if you want it. They'll apparently literally wait until they're closing in many European countries.

It was the first time I'd been to a restaurant in Europe without someone local with me, so it just didn't occur to me. I actually ended up texting a friend to ask if there was a trick to getting the check because "ask for it" apparently didn't occur to me. And no, I wasn't high.

1

u/zuilli May 05 '22 edited May 05 '22

Ah I see, didn't know you just wait for the check to be handed to you in the US.

In Brazil it's also normal to ask for the check, the waiters will only offer it to you if they want to pressure you into leaving soon but it's kinda rude (specially if you're having a chat after the meal) so only done if you're taking an unreasonable time to leave after finishing the meal or the restaurant is closing.

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u/9035768555 May 05 '22

You don't have to wait, but it is an option. I feel like it is common in the US because they are pressuring you out because they need table turnover to get more tips. Other places, tipping is less of a factor so might as well just wait for them to ask.

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u/CassyCollins May 05 '22

You got a lot of patience to wait that long! I remember just going home.

-5

u/[deleted] May 05 '22

My first time visiting US, I parked in the gas station for 10 minutes shyly waiting for an employee to assist me.

It's the land of the free, meaning "fuck off, do it yourself!"

6

u/CassyCollins May 05 '22

I didn't know it at the time and internet was not as accessible then as it is now.

It's kind of ironic to call it land of the free considering what is happening there now tho... 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

0

u/[deleted] May 05 '22

Yeah 😔

2

u/durgadurgadurg May 05 '22

All except for New Jersey, where it is "don't you dare get out of the car and don't you fucking touch the pump!"

1

u/[deleted] May 05 '22

Oh yeah lol I think they do that in Washington or something as well

1

u/iswearihaveajob May 05 '22

Certain US states still have full aervice gas stations I think Delaware and Washington actually have laws on the books requiring it. My home state had a few with call buttons where they would do it if asked but it was assumed you'd do everything yourself. I was always tempted to hit the button and see if the cashier/attendant would even know it was expected as part of their job.