It depends on the venue. I expect it at Denny's. At the other extreme, in Europe I sometimes have to resort to catching the waiter's eye by making scribbling motions on my hand to get it, since the concept in general seems pleasantly to be that I've "rented" the table for as long as I want. In Germany I know I'm expected to pay the waiter with his change purse right on the spot, which seems abrupt until you're used to its efficiency.

Recently we took grandkids and their parents to a Red Robin (or Red Robinhood, as one 3-year-old calls it) and the server slapped down the check before asking about dessert. Well, our kiddies desired a $2.99 or whatever sundae and it didn't bother me at all that they had to void the bill and run it through again. That seemed really silly in a place that really flogs its desserts.

So, Denny's notwithstanding, for me this practice doesn't have to be in a fine dining establishment to be annoying.