I always have been asked If I am done and would like the plate taken or I place it at the End of the Table. New York Times has a great article on "100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do"

http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/one-hundred-things-restaurant-staffers-should-never-do-part-one/?em
It goes over what you said on #17

Hi Mickey! I so agree with your post - I thought it was me ;-) I was in NYC last week and I was horrified by the total lack of understanding what makes good food and good dining pleasurable: it takes time to prepare good food and it takes time to eat and enjoy it. The service in the USA is so uber efficient that it scares us Europeans away. I felt pressured to speed up my dinner as I felt continuously harrassed by staff asking if I'm "good", I became so angry with one waitress as she insisted we were ready to order within 2 minutes (I am not a fucking speedreader!! and wine is only considered after I have decided what to eat - yes, americans! we like to drink something that goes well with our food in stead of those disgusting sweet cocktails). And the dropping of the checks is beyond my belief - since when do staff decide it is time to leave? I came back in Europe thinking maybe I should open a school or online training for waiters in order to teach them some decent manners.

I totally agree with you but the main questions here are did you raise this issue with the manager or kick up a stink at the restaurant?

I suspect etiquette is not necessarily the issue here but economics. They either equate a faster turnaround with more business or have hired cheaply/trained poorly.

My suggestion? Don't get angry, get even! Go back and take Adam's mate, John C. Dvorak, in with you then sit back and enjoy the fireworks!

Its called "a difference in culture". I have asked my american friends the same thing a couple years ago. They said they dislike it when they have their empty plate standing in front of them. It is considered inpolite if they leave you sitting there with an empty plate in front of you. Though I agree they could wait a little bit.
I've noticed they do it more and more in the Netherlands too. And I have grown to like it. I can't stand it either when i have to look at my dirty plate for too long.
There are differences in table manners as well. Americans have different manners. in the Netherlands it's considered rude not to have both hands above the table. Americans always use their right hand (if they're right handed), to bring the food to your mouth. They cut a piece of meat, put down the knife, and then eat. Meanwhile they use their left hand to hold the napkin on their lap.
As for the cheque. They usually ask if you'd like something else or if your done. The thing I do hate is that they always give the cheque to the man at the table. Why can't I be paying for it? But its considered normal in the States, and so you just adjust..

Micky, FastFood is an American invention... That explains enough...

Get back at them by ordering an espresso after they just brought the check...they will have to redo the check (normal coffee is usual free, but for espresso they will have to charge you). Than when they come back again with the new check, ask if you can see the dessert menu again and order a dessert. Believe me its a great "European" experience for Americans and fun for you to see the waiter's reaction.
Peter

Welcome to Amercan! Having moved to Italy from the US, twenty years ago, I now enjoy the pleasure of eating out in the stress free setting that is the way eating out should be. As you well know by going all through Europe, eating is a ceremony that is enjoyed at level's far superior to that which is just being considered a number that has to move along so I (the waiter) can make more on tips! One sure thing I don't miss about the State's
An American in Milan.

What about the question "Shall I bag this up for you?" in a very nice restaurant...

Wist je dat het woord 'gezellig' niet vertaald kan worden in het Engels? Is echt een Nederlands woord. Gezellig tafelen kennen ze dan ook niet. Volgens mij heb je 15 minuten om het voorgerecht op te eten voordat de volgende gang geserveerd wordt.

Oh man, verhuis dan toch terug naar het lekkere Nederland als het daar zo erg is. Mens pas je toch aan en denk niet dat jij als Nederlander het allemaal zo goed weet.
Ik heb heel lang in de States gewoond en ik mis hier in Amsterdam nog steeds de beleefdheid in restaurants. Maar ja, jij zult hier al helemaal niet meer zo netjes behandeld worden vrees ik....

Happened to me too while in California recently; it partly took away my pleasure of eating. They took my plate while I still was holding my fork during my last bite; 50 seconds later the check was presented. FAST FOOD indeed....

Adam schould put his knife and fork on his plate, like you did and not as boatpaddles when you talk about ettiquette!!!

Hoi,

Ik lees je verhalen met veel plezier.
Persoonlijk vind ik het heerlijk als je bord snel wordt weggehaald. Juiste "onze" manier waardeer ik niet. Ik wil niet tegen een (half) leeg bord aankijken als ik klaar ben met eten.
Keep on writing.

Nancy