noun
compliments; flattery; courtesies
Polite, often superficial, compliments or pleasantries used to maintain good relations, especially in service or social settings.
彼女はお客さんにお愛想を言うのが上手だ。
She is good at paying compliments to customers.
noun
hospitality; special treatment; entertainment
Polite hospitality or special treatment shown to guests, often in a business context like restaurants or ryokan.
あの店はお愛想がいいから、また行きたくなる。
That shop gives such good hospitality that I want to go again.
noun
Polite term for the bill at a restaurant or bar; often used when asking for the check.
すみません、お愛想をお願いします。
Excuse me, could I have the bill, please?
愛想 without お is less polite and can mean amiability or sociability in general, while お愛想 is specifically polite and often used in service contexts.
お会計 is a more common and neutral term for the bill at a restaurant; お愛想 is a more traditional, polite expression often used in higher-end establishments.
Combination of the honorific prefix お and 愛想 (aiso, 'amiability, sociability'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term evolved to refer to polite pleasantries and, by extension, the bill presented with a smile in service settings.