MANNERS
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Top 10 Dining Manners & Etiquette in France
(First, think of Paris as the NY of Europe – Parisians are not rude, just busy with their lives and
aren’t thinking anything but what they need to get done. People outside Paris are a lot like
those in the our countryside – very kind and accommodating)
Being half French, I find the subtle differences between cultures facinating. If you want to blend
a little more while in Paris here’s some suggestions:
Show your hands on the table – do not place them under the table – as it is considered rude in
France. Place the napkin in your lap once you’ve sat down.
Decide whether you want to order a la carte or prix fix menu (le menu). They will ask you if you
want one of three types of water: "carafe d'eau" (tap water), "gazeuse" (bottled sparkling water)
or "plat" (bottled flat water).
Try and remember to order more than one item from the menu. A typical French meal for lunch
consists of a salad or soup (called entrée) and your main course (plait principal) and you can
skip the cheese and dessert courses. Dinner can consist of about 6 courses, however and try
and get the cheese course – which is usually a
If you are in a hurry, grab lunch at a tea shop or from a stand or deli – the French consider it
rude to consume food in under an hour or two once seated. They are not slow, just trying to
allow you to enjoy the ritual of slow food and any person that may be with you. Dinners can
even last as long as 4 hours depending on how formal the meal.
Tear your bread into pieces and do not butter your bread – Use your bread for dipping into
sauces. Also, it is not uncommon that the bread is placed directly on the table in an informal
setting.
Almost everything is eaten with a fork, unless you’re at McDonald’s – seriously!
Try and remember NOT to salt your food before tasting it. Doing so insults the chef as you
assume he has not done a good enough job of seasoning your food for you.
French people in general are quiet people. Anyone being loud or boisterous is thought to be
rude and may be treated rudely in return. Even their children tend to be quiet, especially at the
table.
The French are famous for their sense of fashion and is something of a national pastime, even
for the men. Even if going to a casual “resto” you should be dressed as if going to a nice meal
in the US (heels and dressy slacks at least)
Avoid discussing politics at the table. While the French really do like Americans, I promise you
they all dislike “Bush” and ½ are still uncertain about Sarkozy! Tables tend to be quite close in
bistrots and cafes as space is at a premium, like NY.
(First, think of Paris as the NY of Europe – Parisians are not rude, just busy with their lives and
aren’t thinking anything but what they need to get done. People outside Paris are a lot like
those in the our countryside – very kind and accommodating)
Being half French, I find the subtle differences between cultures facinating. If you want to blend
a little more while in Paris here’s some suggestions:
Show your hands on the table – do not place them under the table – as it is considered rude in
France. Place the napkin in your lap once you’ve sat down.
Decide whether you want to order a la carte or prix fix menu (le menu). They will ask you if you
want one of three types of water: "carafe d'eau" (tap water), "gazeuse" (bottled sparkling water)
or "plat" (bottled flat water).
Try and remember to order more than one item from the menu. A typical French meal for lunch
consists of a salad or soup (called entrée) and your main course (plait principal) and you can
skip the cheese and dessert courses. Dinner can consist of about 6 courses, however and try
and get the cheese course – which is usually a
If you are in a hurry, grab lunch at a tea shop or from a stand or deli – the French consider it
rude to consume food in under an hour or two once seated. They are not slow, just trying to
allow you to enjoy the ritual of slow food and any person that may be with you. Dinners can
even last as long as 4 hours depending on how formal the meal.
Tear your bread into pieces and do not butter your bread – Use your bread for dipping into
sauces. Also, it is not uncommon that the bread is placed directly on the table in an informal
setting.
Almost everything is eaten with a fork, unless you’re at McDonald’s – seriously!
Try and remember NOT to salt your food before tasting it. Doing so insults the chef as you
assume he has not done a good enough job of seasoning your food for you.
French people in general are quiet people. Anyone being loud or boisterous is thought to be
rude and may be treated rudely in return. Even their children tend to be quiet, especially at the
table.
The French are famous for their sense of fashion and is something of a national pastime, even
for the men. Even if going to a casual “resto” you should be dressed as if going to a nice meal
in the US (heels and dressy slacks at least)
Avoid discussing politics at the table. While the French really do like Americans, I promise you
they all dislike “Bush” and ½ are still uncertain about Sarkozy! Tables tend to be quite close in
bistrots and cafes as space is at a premium, like NY.
