How to hold a reservation...

According to a recent study out regarding Great Britain's hospitality industry, London needs to improve their customer service in hotels, restaurants and pubs. In part, this article says:

In a bid to boost flagging service standards, London is funding courses starting this month that aim to improve hospitality with a $6.4 million four-year program. Participants in the scheme will learn how to improve everything from champagne pouring to meat carving, spoken English to cigar selection. The Economist magazine has described the new skills as “American-style” service standards.

I found this interesting for a couple of reasons. Having spent a brief period of time in London doing graduate work several years ago, I don't particularly remember the city lacking in hospitality. Aside from that, however, England is a different country! Their customs are different. Their social mores are different. Their personalities are different. It isn't surprising that their idea of hospitality would be different. I thought the bit of aloofness was nothing more than part of the English charm.

I also doubt that the Brits appreciate being told that their manners within the hospitality industry are sub-standard to the American ways. On one hand, maybe they are in some respects. On the other, maybe Americans are simply more demanding with unrealistic expectations of every waiter, concierge, hotel maid, or bartender, insisting that they cater perfectly to the "me! me! me!" mentality.