How do y’all usually get a server’s attention?

Went out to eat last night and I was starving. Sat there for like 10 minutes trying to catch a server’s eye so I could order. Tried the polite smile, a little wave, even the classic “index finger hover”… nothing. Felt like I was invisible.

Eventually got my food, but then after I was done, it took another 15 mins just to get the check. I get that servers are busy, but damn there’s gotta be a better system, right?

So, what’s the move here? Do you just wait it out? Flag someone down? Or is there some unspoken etiquette I missed? Curious what other folks do.