I'd really like to be able to stand there and watch my car being worked on. Does anybody do this? If so, does the dealer encourage or discourage it?

PITA. I personally wouldn't want somebody looking over my shoulder as I work. You would be too distracting with questions etc. and really slow things down. Besides could you tell if the mechanic was doing anything right or wrong? Most people couldn't. Nonetheless I would like to see them work and understand your wanting to. It's probably us just being neurotic about our cars. :)

I'm far from helpless with a wrench though I agree that most people wouldn't know the difference.

Mostly I'm worried about dishonesty. Like if I give them 5 quarts of Mobil 1, do they actually use it or stash it and throw in regular oil.

better reputation. Or maybe a recommendation from somebody. I've thought of even changing my own oil to bypass all these feelings. When I got my car back I wondered if they really rotated my tires. I meant to put a mark on the front tires so I could tell. When I check the wheel bolts then I could tell they rotated them ... They were way overtightened. I had to loosen and retighten with torque wrench.