Have you ever sat in a busy Chinese restaurant, thirsty and hungry, but felt too awkward to shout "Waiter!"? Or maybe you tried the "polite western nod" and got completely ignored?

In this episode, Alex learns that shouting in a restaurant isn't rude—it's necessary! Lulu breaks down the standard way to call for service versus the secret local way that will get you better service and a warmer smile.

We discuss why calling a stranger "Beauty" or "Handsome" isn't flirting in China—it's just good manners!

📝 Key Vocabulary in This Episode:

• 服务员 (Fú wù yuán): Waiter / Waitress. (The standard, professional title. Perfectly correct, but can feel a bit "cold" or business-like).
• 美女 (Měi nǚ): Beauty. (A friendly way to address young women. Equivalent to a warm "Miss").
• 帅哥 (Shuài gē): Handsome Guy. (A friendly way to address young men. Equivalent to "Buddy" or "Mate").
• 过来一下 (Guò lái yí xià): Come here for a second.
• 麻烦... (Má fan...): To trouble someone / "Could you please..." (Used to soften a request, e.g., "麻烦拿个菜单").

💡 Cultural Insight:

While 服务员 (Fú wù yuán) works 100% of the time, using 美女 and 帅哥 changes the dynamic from a transaction to a friendly interaction. It breaks the ice! Just remember: read the room—stick to formal titles for much older staff members.

🎧 Tune in now to start sounding less like a textbook and more like a local!