I've only left the U.S. once (to Mexico), so I don't remember that much.  The one thing I do remember is that you had to specifically ask for the check, which I have mixed feelings about.  The nice thing is if you want to stay for awhile you don't have to worry about being ignored (sometimes waitstaff treats giving you the check as the end of it, even if you're there for awhile longer).  I agree with the non-U.S.ian view that meals shouldn't be rushed.

Actually, scratch that; I agree with the southern U.S.ian and foreign view that meals shouldn't be rushed.  A girl I dated in undergrad was from New England, and I used to drive her crazy because I'd gasp sit around to digest and talk to people after a meal.

Q: What do you think of western civilization? Gandhi: I think it would be a good idea.

I don't know about the Chinese or French, but I know some Indian tourists can be really bad. I have an Indian co-worker that frequently complains about extremely boorish behavior by some of her fellow countrymen which she says is just generally accepted. Apparently travel on airlines and trains within, originating from, or traveling to that country is a real joy.

I only have two recent stories I can think of.

1) I was outside the country on a trip to an undisclosed Latin American destination. The hotel we stayed at had a "satisfaction guaranteed" policy for tours and services booked through their concierge. There was one Indian family and the dad appeared to be a real prize. Once my wife and I were in the office and he was ahead of us, complaining about a recent trip to somewhere. He was complimenting it endlessly, saying the children really enjoyed it and it was quite memorable, but he still was not "completely satisfied." He was obviously fishing for a refund in the most obnoxious way. Apparently he did this after every trip they booked for him. Said it was wonderful, but he wasn't 'completely satisfied.' Demanded his money back, to see the manager, whatever.

When the trip ended a bit early due to a surprise hurricane attack the last we saw of him was on the beach with his family wondering where everybody went and why none of the hotel staff would tell him what was going on or where to go.

2) Returning from a recent conference I sat down on my seat on the airplane (row 6) still shaking from meeting R. Lee Ermey and living to tell the tail. Behind me a commotion began. Apparently some Indian guy felt the need to upgrade himself to Row 7, aisle seat from the back of the plane. Just before the door closed some man got there and asked what he was doing in his seat. He explained that he held the ticket for that seat and had booked it months in advance so he could sit next to his business partner. Mr. Seat Absconder was a giant (redacted) about it and told the guy "I wish to sit here. Please reseat yourself over there." Thankfully (for the Indian guy, because I am sure the rest of the plane was ready to dispense some Common Air Carrier Justice on this idiot for holding departure up) the dude's business partner told him "It wasn't worth it" and since the flight was only 90 minutes to forget about it.

That's all I got for now.

Look, I don't know anything about this.  But I do know that when I am in foreign countries, the service is really slow.  

Canada, I'm looking at you, especially the Francophone portion.  Seriously, 30 minutes to bring me a bowl of soup?  In America, if that happened, you'd all be fired and denied health care.

Really, after having to deal with some of the worst slow service at LAX this go around, I feel that service during my vacation in Mexico was absolutely stellar.  

And actually it was.  If anything, maybe too attentive.  I am generally the type that only wants to see a waiter when I call out to him.  Otherwise, I just want to be left alone to enjoy the scenery and people watching.  And I don't want a check until I ask for it (unless every table is occupied, in which case I understand them wanting to rush people out).