WHAT NOT TO DO IN FRENCH RESTAURANTS
Besides eating a meal, dining in the United States and dining in France don’t share much in common. So I’ve made a list for you of the things you should NOT do in a French restaurant:
Don’t be afraid to wave down the waiter to be seated
In the United States, we are accustomed to a hostess greeting and leading us to our table. In France, it’s your responsibility to wave down a waiter/waitress to get you seated. Tell them the size of your party, and they’ll typically gesture to a few open tables. It’s your choice!
Don’t be annoyed that the tables are very close together
In France, the whole concept of personal space just isn’t the same. French restaurants will pack in as many tables as possible, so don’t be surprised if you have to move your table or chair to let people in or out during the night.
Don’t go to the place advertising the English menu
Now in places like Paris, almost all of the restaurants will have a dual menu. What I’m saying is don’t go to the restaurant that has a huge sign out front like WE HAVE BAGUETTES AND FRENCH ONION SOUP! And if the menu has pictures? RUN! Try to find the places that are a bit more tucked away. That’s where you’ll find those unforgettable meals.
Don’t get conned into buying water
In France, your waiter will ask you if you want your water still or sparkling. If you respond with still, they might bring you out a bottle that you will have to pay for. Instead, ask for a carafe of water. This is a pitcher of tap water. On this topic, if you finish your carafe, you will have to wave down the waiter to ask for more. They won’t automatically refill anything in France. Rule of thumb? Ask and you shall receive.
Don’t expect the waiters to check in with you
In the United States, the waiter comes by all night. He makes sure everything came out alright, he asks you if you need anything else, etc. etc. This is not the case in France. Waiters in France stay in the background, because they don’t want to disturb you during your dining experience. So if you want something, just ask!
Don’t think you have to avoid the cheapest wine
You are in some of the best wine regions in the world, so the cost of the wine doesn’t tell you much about the quality! Pick a wine of the region you’re in. For example, a Côte du Rhone in Lyon or a Bordeaux in Bordeaux. Another great thing about French restaurants is they have an option between a glass and bottle. It can be called many different things: Pichet, pot, filette, etc. but it’s basically a little pitcher.
Don’t ask for to-go boxes
Now sometimes restaurants do have to-go boxes… but I say avoid it. Not finishing your meal looks like you didn’t like it. Plus the portion size is smaller. And after all, you’re only there once. Just finish the meal!
Don’t feel like you’re in a rush
Once you sit down at a French restaurant for dinner, that’s your table for the rest of the night. Feel free to just slowly sip on an expresso and relax. In the US they’d be bussing the tables around you, because they need you to leave to get more tips. But the payment system is different in France. Just relax!
Don’t tip a full 20 percent
Like I was saying above, the payment system is different. French waiters already make a salary, and tips are just extra. I think anywhere from 5-10% for a full sit down dinner (and even that would be considered high to a French person). If you’re just grabbing a croque madame at a cafe for lunch, only a couple euros for tip is just fine!
Don’t expect to get a checkbook
Don’t be expecting the ‘checkbook dance’ that we do in the US where they hand you the checkbook, you put your card in, they walk away, they bring back the book, and you sign the receipt with the tip. In France, they will bring the credit card machine to you. SO THIS IS IMPORTANT— if you want to add tip on the card tell them BEFORE they swipe. You will not get a receipt with a space to fill in the tip.
Is one way of dining better than the other? I’m not sure. But I can tell you that now you’re ready to take on a French restaurant. Bon appétit!