¡Oye!

Waitstaff here almost never ask you if you need anything. Especially if you're at a crowded bar or a brunch place that serves unlimited mimosas (I had an expat-tastic day today but, note to self, if you order a bloody Mary in a place where people mostly don't like spicy food and don't drink bloody Marys, you should probably expect to be disappointed), but basically if you're anywhere: If you want something you have to get the waiter/bartender's attention. Eye contact never works, and a little raised finger or nod or something like that almost never works. You have to wave at them, or yell at them, or grab their arm, or trip them or something. And I'm terrible at that. I get all awkward and shy and quiet and weird, even more so than usual, when faced with waitstaff, especially in the wrong language. And plus it just feels so rude to yell at them. So I spend a lot more time waiting for drinks than I probably should. Partly it's just how things are here, and also tipping is mostly not done or expected, so there's not much incentive for anyone to get me my next beer more quickly. The waitrons of the estado español aren't likely to change, so I need to get used to being more assertive. I'll work on it. Right after I get my students to shut up and my roommates to clean the kitchen.