If I had to guess, I'd say they were talking about (in most US restaurants)
- Ask for check -> waiter brings check -> put card in fold, wait ?? minutes for waiter to return to grab card -> wait ?? minutes for waiter to run card and return it -> sign receipt and leave.
On a busy night, this ritual could last 15-20 minutes.
To be fair, in some countries in Europe (and a small number of restaurants I've been to in the US), it's more like:
- ask for check -> waiter brings hand terminal to table -> swipe card, then leave
- Ask for check -> waiter brings check -> put card in fold, wait ?? minutes for waiter to return to grab card -> wait ?? minutes for waiter to run card and return it -> sign receipt and leave.
On a busy night, this ritual could last 15-20 minutes.
To be fair, in some countries in Europe (and a small number of restaurants I've been to in the US), it's more like:
- ask for check -> waiter brings hand terminal to table -> swipe card, then leave