service / operation
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waitstaff / server
The person or people who serve guests or customers in a restaurant, café, or shop; the waiter or waitress.
Die Bedienung in diesem Café ist immer besonders freundlich und schnell.
The service in this café is always especially friendly and fast.
All meanings of 'die Bedienung' (service / operation) come from the verb 'bedienen' (to serve / to operate). You can serve a person (in a restaurant), operate a device (control it), or receive a service.
Der Kellner bedient die Gäste am Nachbartisch.
The waiter serves the guests at the next table.
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. In a restaurant, it refers to the person. In connection with a device, it is about handling or operation. On a bill, it refers to the service charge.
Die Bedienung hat uns die Speisekarte gebracht.
The server brought us the menu.
To get the attention of the staff in a restaurant or café, you can call out 'Entschuldigung, Bedienung!' (Excuse me, server!). This is a direct way to address the person.
Entschuldigung, Bedienung, wir würden gern bestellen!
Excuse me, server, we'd like to order!
When referring to the handling or operation of devices, 'Bedienung' is often combined with adjectives such as 'einfach' (simple), 'kompliziert' (complicated), 'leicht' (easy), or 'intuitiv' (intuitive).
Das Gerät hat eine sehr einfache Bedienung.
The device is very easy to operate.
service
'Service' and 'Bedienung' can both have to do with customer contact, especially in restaurants, cafés, or shops. 'Service' more often refers to the overall quality of customer care: whether you are treated in a friendly, quick, and good way. 'Bedienung' can mean the person who serves the guests, or the act of serving itself. For this reason, learners can confuse the words. If you mean the person, you say 'die Bedienung'. If you are evaluating how good the customer care was overall, 'Service' fits better.
Die Bedienung brachte uns sofort die Speisekarte.
The server brought us the menu right away.
Der Service im Restaurant war heute langsam, aber sehr freundlich.
The service in the restaurant was slow today, but very friendly.