My wife and I are planning a trip to Paris are have a question about restaurant etiquette. <BR> <BR>In the States, we often find portions too large and request a doggie bag. Is this permissable in Paris? What would we ask for? <BR> <BR>Thanks.

I doubt you'll get huge meals in Paris unless you order several courses. If you want to try taking leftovers with you, learn to ask in French and you'll probably have much better luck. They probably won't have styrofoam containers like in the U.S. and may just wrap it in foil.

Portions are small in France (see the Skinny Europeans! thread...) so you won't have anywhere near the need for a doggie bag here that you would in the US. Frankly, it is just not done here. In the 13939594,0002828 restaurants I've been to in this city (slight exaggeration , only one spontaneously proposed that they wrap up my dinner--because I was sick and literally hadn't touched it. Have a great time in Paris et bon appetit.

In French, what we call a "doggy bag" is known as a "sac picnique". Interestingly , it shows a cultural difference. We take leftovers home for the dog, while they take them for a picnic.

I have to be honest and say that in all our trips to Paris (and because we have family there we've made quite a few) I've never seen anyone ask for a doggie bag. Portions tend to be smaller (there will normally be several courses tho) so it's not usually a problem anyway. I think if you have a buffet type breakfast at your hotel you can safely take away a piece of fruit to munch on later .. that we've seen (and done too!).

In my visits I have never seen anyone ask for a doggie bag. Portions are indeed smaller,and I just don't think that most places are expecting nor prepared for just a request. <BR>In some places you and your wife could ask to share: Most restaurants would comply with that, but in case they don't understand try saying <BR>" pour partager" (sort of "poor <BR>par ta zhay")which is "for sharing". <BR>to share.

I agree it's really not done in France (my sister lives there are she has found that "doggie bags" are pretty unheard of). The portions are often smaller than here but I still could not eat all the food most of the time and I was never offered a doggie bag but was often asked if there was something wrong with it (which there was not I am just used to eating half and wrapping up the rest). But you could try asking them to wrap it up and see what they say. Have a great trip!

Recently researched this question & got an answer--uniformly--that it is not done, not acceptable etc. the french are a bit superior when it comes to food matters, dont ask if you have afragile ego. by the way & I am not inventing this, there is a pretty good book called <BR>Idiots Guide to Paris that answers practical stuff like that. The others are also correct, portions are much smaller in Paris & the food is usually very good so there wont be a lot left over.

What I have noticed from travels in Paris is that the locals (I love this!) bring their doggies WITH THEM. You will find that there is an occasional poodle underneath the table of some diners. Thus, the "doggie bag" is thoroughly an American convention, as we leave our pooch at home. I have not, however, seen a dog being FED in a restaurant. I have not ever seen less than well-behaved dogs with their dining owners, either. Being a dog-lover, myself, I adore dining with everyone, dogs, included.