settling bills in restaurants has become an ordeal
The world has got much, much worse in the last 3 years. Until a few years ago, the way a restaurant bill went was as follows: you ask for the bill. They bring it, and it's itemised. It's on a slip of paper, maybe handwritten, maybe printed. You check the items, if you like. You check the addition, if you like. You raise any mistakes. You see if they added service, and add a tip, if you like. You then pay by cash, or by card if mutually agreeable. Now, the way it works is as follows: you ask for the bill. Someone fiddles around on some kind of electronic device for a very long time, right in front of you, so you kind of feel obliged to give them your attention. Eventually, they presume to announce a total at you. You ask for an itemised bill. They initially pretend not to know what you mean, so you have to explain what an itemised bill is. You say it can be on the screen or on paper. At this point, they may fla...