The following is from our 2006 trip report. We were having lunch at Bingo! and discussing the whole notion of dining out.

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We had a nice chat with the waitress. We discussed the difference between Americans and Dutch (indeed most Europeans) with respect to dining out.

Americans expect that you will bring them their check right at the end of the meal. Any delay is seen as poor service. Many folks are quite adamant about it.

Presenting a bill to a European without his asking would be an insult. "Here's your hat, what's your hurry?" Europeans make an evening of dinner. They do not want to feel that you're tossing them out the door. When they want their bill they will ask for it.

What is a necessity to one is an insult to another. It's all a matter of perception, really. But it does cause trouble when all we have to do ... is ask

Aruba Trip Reports

Funny you mention this. My parents just returned from their first trip to the island after a lapse of 20+ years. They had fogotten that little tidbit and took them a couple of days of getting into the hang of asking for the check. They never ever rush through a meal, but when they are finished, they are finished and well...

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I agree that it is not a problem to ask for the check rather than having it delivered to your table. However, over many years of eating out in Aruba, I have eaten at some restaurants where it took between 30 to 60 minutes to get the check once you asked for it. The original Mill restaurant was like this. It was always at least a 3 hour meal there and about half of it was spent waiting for the check. Maybe that is why they are no longer in business.

Dom
Next visit to Costa Linda in

Thanks for the helpful info. AuntieMame. I feel bad having to ask for the check while dining out here in the states, now I know its expected in Aruba.