Originally Posted by emma69

That is the problem with the assumption. It assumes I have finished, and on more than one occasion when I have said that I would like to order something else, I have been told 'we've closed the bill, I will have to start another one' as if it is somehow my fault. I mind far less if the waitress says "Would you like anything else, or may I get you the bill' as it gives me the choice (my preference is still that I will ask for it when I am ready, however).

I also find that 'whenever you are ready' means they will return in about a nano second with a credit card machine in hand, rather than actually being when I am ready.

Although by no means is that my biggest 'bill being brought' peeve - that is reserved for when 'Kelli' comes and tells me her shift is finished so would I please settle my bill (ignoring the fact I am still eating my meal, no where near finished). She smiles and says 'oh well just settle up to where you are and 'Staci' will open a new one for anything else'. No. Stuff off. It is not MY issue that your shift is finishing. Restaurants should ban their staff from such tip-grab behavior, and maybe have an internal policy that if two waitresses share a table like that they split the tip the following shift or something. I'm not trying to stiff anyone on their tip, but approaching me as my fork is entering my mouth to pay is just damn rude.