Question About Table Customs

[Girino]

I was told that if I say "Gracias" when the waiter comes to collect the bill, it is understood as "Thank you and no change".
I did it once and my change arrived, but my company said it was because I am a foreigner and we are regular customers there, so they know I don't know.
Today I did it again, at a different place, and nothing came back (but the service was very slow, so maybe if we had waited long enough...)

I am simply used to say "thank you" anytime the waiter comes at my table, and I find it quite harsh not to say a thing, as if not acknowledging his presence. He is not a servant and he is paid to do his job, but I find very snob to pretend he doesn't exist!

Can anybody shed some light to the matter? Thank you!

 

[ben]

The gracias should be accompanied by some mention of the change. Same goes for taxis.

 

[Redbeanz]

Gee, I must say "gracias" a dozen times in a meal, because like you, I'm grateful for the waiter's assistance. Never thought about this possibility, but will ask some Argentine friends. When we sometimes haven't received change, we have just thought the waiter must have assumed the rest was his tip, and haven't thought much about it. But when we have returned to those places, the waiters seem to recognize and welcome us very warmly! If the "gracias" sounds kind of final, like "thanks and good night," then this makes sense.

 

[nikad]

When you imply that they keep the change you would say " Gracias, esta bien " a simple " Gracias " does not imply keep the change imo.

 

[ElQueso]

Yeah, I wouldn't depend on a simple gracias and the waiters shouldn't either, I'd think. I say exactly what Nikad said, or "gracias para todo" or "gracias y que tenga una buena noche" or something.