| It's common knowledge that the French are | | | | cooked. By the way, that's one of the most |
| gourmets and aesthetes. That's why it's absolutely | | | | favourite with the French people dishes. Saignante is |
| impossible to go even to the baker's in trunks and | | | | roasted meat with blood. A point stands for the |
| slippers or chew your morning roll in a subway. Unless | | | | middle-roasted beef, and bien cuit is well-fried meat. |
| you want to be looked at with disapproval of course. | | | | Waiters |
| So if you want to live in Paris you'd better get used | | | | Don't think that the waiters are rude and ill-bred |
| to be always smartly dressed. Besides that would be | | | | because they didn't introduce themselves and rushed |
| nice if you try and learn at least several words in | | | | to refill your jug after you've made the first sip of |
| French to talk to the owner of the boulangerie. Even | | | | water. As a rule, there are just a couple of waiters in |
| the weakest attempts to speak French will certainly | | | | the restaurant, and they are really very busy. |
| be appreciated! Let me give you some pieces of | | | | Take it for granted that the process of eating is a |
| advice that will make your life in Paris easier. | | | | ritual, so don't hurry, relax and enjoy your meal. After |
| Drinks | | | | you've had your dinner ask to bring l'addition. But ask |
| Nobody makes you order bottled water you'll have | | | | it only when you will really be leaving the restaurant |
| to pay for. When in France, do as the French do - | | | | as it is considered impolite to hand it in to you before |
| order "carafe d'eau" (decanter of water). If you buy | | | | you really leave. |
| a water in a bottle, specify which water you prefer: | | | | Courtesy |
| "gazeuse" (sparkling) or "plat"(still). | | | | Don't forget to greet the owner of the shop when |
| Wine served in a decanter is of a high quality and is | | | | entering the building. Say Bonjour "Madame/Monsieur". |
| rather inexpensive in comparison with the bottled | | | | Leaving the shop bid farewell - "Merci Madame |
| wine. If you can't decide which wine to choose, order | | | | Monsieur". |
| Côte du Rhône, a good red wine favoured | | | | Coffee |
| by many connoisseurs. | | | | If you order coffee you will be served a small cup |
| Tips | | | | (excluding the morning hours when the French are |
| Tips are always included in a total sum. Anyway you | | | | having breakfast). If you want coffee with milk ask |
| can additionally leave some money to the waiter if | | | | café crème; if you order café |
| you liked the way you were served, but that's not | | | | au lait (coffee with milk) you will be looked at with |
| necessarily. In a good restaurant it's normal if you | | | | surprise as this is coffee served in a big cup and it is |
| leave 5% of the total. | | | | usually drunk at home. Espresso is café |
| Meat Dishes | | | | noisette in French. |
| Ordering meat with blood, or bleu bear in mind that | | | | Following these simple rules you'll find the life in |
| it's almost raw meat, which can hardly be called | | | | France much easier! |