What do you call your waiter when you need to get their attention?
In America we like to call people by their name, not their title, especially for a service role. Otherwise it comes off as very classist and elitist. Someone calling out "Waiter!" would come off as a bit of an asshole, to be honest.
I can’t think of a time I called my waiter. I usually just make eye contact and raise my finger in what seems like a universal “I have a question” posture.
But if they are busy, then I'll do an "Excuse me" really nicely and just loud enough so they can hear - not too loudly, and they will nod and that usually is it, and I know it to mean that they will get to me as soon as they can, they acknowledged me. And if it is super busy, I'm cool if it takes a little longer than usual. It happens. If I'm in a hurry, I'd go to McDonalds. Not really, I hate it, but that's the idea.
I mean ... practically anything is grounds for taking offense in America. Americans are like people who were suddenly told they're allowed to be offended, and now they're on a binge of being offended by everything. I probably wouldn't yell "hey kid" to my waiter at the Waffle House (or maybe I would, if I felt like I liked the kid). But "chico" is a term of endearment. I've never heard it said without some sweetness and tenderness... it doesn't sound the same as "hey kid" delivered in a derogatory way.
