خَيْزُران
Culture and Polite Manners | Would it be not polite to snap fingers or clap hands to get someone's attention in English-speaking countries? "As you heard, we use Excuse me to get someone's attentuon. We use it in restaurants when we want the waiter, for example. We never snap our fingers or clap our hands. Listen to David and Harriet in the White Horse Cafe." David: Excuse me. Waiter: Yes, sir? *This text above is quoted by intonation practice book. So I wonder does behaviours like snapping fingers consider impolite or people don't do it just coz of culture or customs? Or it differs from situations? Because in China, sometimes among friends, behaviours like clap hands to get others' attention is acceptable in my way of thinking. I hope my question is understandable. Thanks very much for reading!
Dec 18, 2021 6:14 AM
Answers · 5
1
In a restaurant in the USA, it’s usually enough to just make eye contact with the waiter — the service is that good. If the waiter doesn’t see us, the next step would be to simply raise a hand while looking at the waiter. If necessary, we might say “excuse, me, waiter”. In the US, it would be extremely rude to clap one’s hands or snap one’s fingers (it’s possible they do that in parts of Europe). If you’re with your friends, then you can generally snap, clap or do anything you want.
December 18, 2021
1
Hello, yes you would say "Excuse me" or "Could I trouble you for some help?". You could waive (like the hello gesture) if the person is too far away to hear you. Your question is very understandable, so no need to worry! Just watch the spelling of the word "attention" (I think you have a small typo)
December 18, 2021
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