Campaign to make British waiters more cheerful

[T_i_B]

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Britain's reputation for "Basil Fawlty" service, especially in restaurants and hotels, is to be tackled with a £3.5 million charm offensive to attract more sophisticated visitors to the country.

Compared with their American and European counterparts, waiters and hotel staff in Britain often appear lazy, rude and incompetent.

But in London, at least, help is on its way. The London Development Agency (LDA) is to spend the money on raising standards.

The drive, which the LDA says is the starting point for a far bigger change in attitudes, will train staff in everything from manners to champagne pouring to how to use the correct language.