Waiters have a trick up their sleeve if they want you to leave

We’ve all been there: the meal’s long-since done and dusted, the plates have been cleared, and you’ve spent ten minutes doing everything you can to get your waiter’s attention.

It can be frustrating when you’re itching to leave, but it works both ways. At least the waiters aren’t actively trying to get you out.

And sometimes, they are. Whether it’s a busy night with a queue out the door, or you’re just an annoying dinner guest, it can be just as frustrating for waiters who are praying for you to ask for your bill.

The receipt is ready to go - @tastyriah via TikTok

As it turns out, one person claims there’s a lesser-known technique they can deploy that might hurry you along when you’ve outstayed your welcome.

A waitress has taken to TikTok to reveal the trick, and it all comes down to the bill.

Ordinarily, the customer will ask for the bill, the waiter will head to the till, and they’ll bring a copy to your table.

The waiter will then give you a few minutes to hash out how you’ll be splitting the bill between your party, or otherwise dig out your bank card so you can leave it suggestively on top of the bill.

TikToker @tastyriah jumps the gun by printing the receipt ahead of being asked as a way to speed customers out of the door.

“When customers say 'can I get the cheque' but I pull it out of my pocket because I've been waiting for you to gtfo [get the f**k out] of my section,” she said in the video.

TikTok commenters with hospitality experience said it was one of their preferred tactics for shifting customers in record time, or to speed things along when tables are in short supply.

“Me saying no rush when I want them to rush more than they ever have before," joked one person.

“Why do we all say 'no rush, whenever you're ready'?” asked another. “We gotta come up with a new hint for them to leave soon!”

Plenty of restaurant-goers were quick to turn the tables, however.

Getty Images.

“Goes both ways!” one pointed out. “When you sit and look at the waitress for 20 minutes with crying kids begging to leave but they don't bring the bill."

Some customers who have cottoned on to that trick deliberately don’t play ball.

One said: “And that's when I order something else for fun."

“Rush me out, that tip's gonna be real SHORT!” said another person.

Or you could just finish your meal, and do the decent thing and pay up quickly if you can see the table is really needed on a busy night.