BTilke

Read an interview with French and Belgian waiters today and they agreed, they don't like being called "gar&ccedil;on" it's definitely out of date. I still hear tourists doing it from time to time (probably using some old, out of step guidebooks). The waiters say it's almost as bad as snapping fingers, but not quite. <BR>The waiters said they are proud of their work and do their best to treat customers well. They said they would remain polite to those who still call them gar&ccedil;on, but there's a lot of eye rolling and comments on the other side of the kitchen doors.<BR>In addition, the Bulletin, an English language newsmagazine published here in Brussels, did a profile on a waiter who said pretty much the same thing. <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

Sadie

Well, then what DO they want to be called? I'm assuming that they haven't adopted that horrible American habit of introducing themselves by their first name. <BR><BR>And an alternative to that awful finger-snapping would be handy for when they're looking the other way.

kavey

I usually just say<BR><BR>"S'il vous plait?"<BR><BR><BR><BR>

kateconrad

You can always call a man "Sir"-they do not mind that..<BR>I was told that calling a man Garcon is the same as calling him Boy~so I understand the affront.Think about how you would like someone to summon you

mimi taylor

Monsieur, S'il vous plait.

Ursula

Oui, definitely, "Monsieur, s'il vous plait."

Jean Pierre Francois

The correct way to summon a waiter in france is:<BR><BR>Eh tete tortue! <BR>Gouttez votre plats et servez moi maintenant! Vous etes mon esclave!

rectull

the above is quite cute...sort of translates to<BR>You are slow as a tortoise! Drop your dishes and serve me now! You are my slave!

hector

or you can try using<BR><BR>H&eacute; l'homme en graisse, obtiennent ici et prennent ma commande que je suis un Am&eacute;ricain!!

maisnon

I beg to differ w/above smart aleck-if you deemed them to be your slave,you would not be addressing them in the formal/polite 'vous' !

Dan

I don't think the above says "your as slow as a turtle". I think it says "Hey turtle head." But my french is rusty.

Dan

That should be YOU'RE as slow as a turtle, not your. My English ain't none too good either.

kc

<BR>Garcon-also means a "boy servant" or a wretch...that should answer that question!Whatever language you speak, you should address people with some respect.

maisnon

I beg to differ w/above smart aleck-if you deemed them to be your slave,you would not be addressing them in the formal/polite 'vous' !

A.M.

Why not call them waiter/waitress, that's what they are, like calling a nurse or doctor whose name you don't know, those monikers. What is the French translation for waiter anyway?<BR>Just curious, as always.<BR>A.M. (NURSE)

k

waiter=serveur<BR>waitress=serveuse

puzzled

garcon de cafe-says the French to English dictionary for Waiter...would one say that? Or is monsieur the best?

Leone

Amazing .... monsieur et madame (ou mademoiselle), n'est-ce pas? Tres facile! Ciao, L

c

Merci beaucoup~Leone-bien choisi *C