I guess that's the other big problem with trying to compare service in different places like this is we all expect different things (leaving aside we're different people, that there's a the-friendliness-you-show-the-wait-staff to the-friendliness-you-get-back correlation, how your mood was on any day affects how you judge things, etc. etc. etc. etc.).

For me good service would be coming back once shortly after the meal's been served to check that everything's okay, otherwise using your eyes to look at the drinks on the table and that being your indicator of when to pop by of your own accord (where some people might find that bad service that's pushing them to buy extra drinks, I dunno), and doing a good job of looking out for just turned/raised head with eye contact for me otherwise needing attention in the form of more drinks or the bill or whatever.