It's simple: in restaurants on the East Coast they have work ethic, in restaurants on the West coast they don't.
In CT and MA servers are rewarded with better shifts if they know the menu, get good Yelp reviews, show up on time, keep their stations stocked, pitch in and help others -- in other words, if they have integrity.
In LA servers are rewarded for drinking with the managers, gossiping instead of working, and socializing instead of attending to the customer.
You sound bitter. I am. It's gross.
It's no wonder so many restaurants out here fail.