The last few times we've been out for a meal there has always been a problem- I don't remember when service became so bad. Went to a big chain restaurant- waited ages for food, items missing and then the seemingly inevitable 'being totally forgotten about.' Empty plates on table, having to get up and ask at the bar for them to be cleared. Yesterday went to a nice old village pub, was served by a lovely waitress who took our order and were then sat for 25 minutes waiting for drinks. Again had to go and chase up- when the meal turned up it didn't have the ingredients listed on the menu (my mum walked out). Wasn't even that busy.
When I worked as a waitress you looked after specific tables and kept an eye on them, so would quickly be aware that they hadn't had drinks or had been sat unattended for some time. How has it now become so difficult?