Although I do hate it when aspects of Germany become more like America, I do wish that sit down nice restaurants had wait staff that checked on us a little more frequently with the expectation that maybe we want to leave!
The not 'checking on you' is the whole point we prefer about our 'system'. Just call them if you need something and otherwise they let you enjoy your time without permanent nagging or time pressure
As an American sitting in Germany right now, I think that wait staff here aren't bothered if you try to actively get their attention like they might be in the USA. Making eye contact or a polite wave, etc. Feels rude based on US service, but I see people doing that more often here.
The best thing in most restaurants is - as soon as the waiter is something near you - just say "I would like to pay the bill", or in german "Ich würde gerne zahlen".
I actually find this super irritating in American restaurants. Just let us enjoy our meal in peace...
Yeah there is a happy medium that alot of wait staff gets wrong here in the states
I've had an OK experience with just demanding the bill when your table's last plates are being taken away.