People must dine in different places to me - I have rarely seen the QR method in Australia - or maybe it is there and I havent paid attention to it and have just ordered in person as usual (usual for me)
Pretty sure it hasn't hit rural Australia yet
Is not unusual when getting counter meals ( ie in pubs, sports clubs,cafes or similar where you go up to the counter to order) to then be directed to take your cutlery back to the table.
I guess this saves on setting up cutlery at tables and then having to pack it away afterwards - or sometimes not all tables will have people eating - in a pub some are just having drinks or just having coffee in a cafe.
Yes sometimes in such places staff will just set your food down and that's it, sometimes they pop back to check everything is ok - some places not even that, your number is called and you go to the counter to collect your meal
Actual restaurants are different and will have full table service - ie you order and recieve your meal and drinks without leaving your table. In those places cutlery and often glasses and table water, is set out on the tables already and staff will periodically check if you need anything else, are you ready to order now,is everyone alright for drinks, would you like dessert etc
But not constantly hovering in your face about it.