In many restaurants around the world, you can wait an eternity for service. It can be a wait to place an order, to have a plate removed or to get the check.

In Mexico, by contrast, the servers often won’t leave you alone, especially at the higher-end establishments. The service in most places is arguably too good — and so attentive it borders on annoying. Waiters will grab a plate from under your fork. If you step away from the table to take a quick call, they will whisk away your drink.

“We believe good service is attentive service,” said a waiter in the upscale Polanco neighborhood of Mexico City.

Behind him, 30 servers searched for someone to serve among the restaurant’s 15 diners.

To be fair, for people living on tips and meager salaries, proving one’s work ethic and appearing busy are essential. And to some extent, the attitude of the service class is driven by the attitude of the elite patrons of upscale restaurants.