On a recent trip to Japan we we were finished with our meal and a server came to our table to clean up, so we said 'Arigato' as we stood up and went to the front to pay the bill.
I noticed the server and Japanese family next to us laughed a little, so I kept thinking if I said something wrong. I now realized it we should have said the term 'gochizosama deshita' instead.
So is it really uncommon to say 'Arigato ' as thanks for the meal ?
I thought it would at least be universally acceptable, but the friendly laughter I got in response seems that it was a strange thing to say for them
by solwyvern