Non-Drinker in Paris?
 

Hi! I've been reading your posts about fine dining in Parisian restaurants and am very excited about the opportunity to experience it in person during my upcoming trip in January.

Here's my silly question: from what I've read, a lot of the fixed menu meals include wine. I rarely drink alcohol--I think I've had all of one margarita in the past two years. Would the wait staff look at me funny if I turn down the wine and order a soda with my meal instead? Or is wine or water my
only option? Thanks for your help! DU :-)

Fear not! During our two weeks in Paris last, my wife never once ordered alcohol with a meal. I can assure that no a single waiter or waitress look at my wife in any strange way.....only admiringly for her beauty!

I think you can order whatever you want, even if wine is included, but be prepared to pay for the soda or if you order any kind of water other than tap water. don't expect a reduction on the menu price.

Thanks Howard & Jody. I knew I wouldn't get a reduction in price for refusing the alcohol, but I didn't want to feel out of place by ordering something else. Thanks again for your helpl!

Please don't be so insecure about eating in France. They are not grand food and wine gods that Americans must bow down to and worship. Your waiter is just a waiter, no more or less. Eat and drink what you want and be happy.

It has been my experience that wine is rarely included in prix fixe meals.

You probably would get a strange look if you ordered sasparilla or root beer.
You'd get the same strange look if you asked for it in my house while eating my crab and scallop bisque.

May I make a suggestion?
I'll start off by saying that for me (not necessarily for you), one of the great things about travel is breaking my usual routine, trying something different, trying to understand this culture that is unfamiliar to me.

That said, I would not order a soft drink with a fine meal in France or Italy (i'm not talking about just pizza or a sandwich). It is well-established that the sugar (or artificial sweetener) affects the way your palate will receive the food. It will be a different experience, that's all.

Bottled waters with or without carbonation (still) are interesting to try, you'll actually be able to taste differences among them.

I'm not worrying here about what your waiter will think, that's not important.
I'm just suggesting that you consider trying something new. And since you don't seem to have a health or moral issue with alcohol, you might even try a single glass of wine now and then.

If not, that's all fine too.

While I do drink red wine, I most often drink water or fizzy water with my meals. Not once in all the years we have gone to France, have I had a strange look or comment regarding what I drink.
I am almost sure that wine is never included in prix fix meals. I also never order Coke or soft drinks..they just don't seem to GO with the food:)

You have nothing to worry about.
Most of the French waiters/waitresses are professionals. You order what you want and the person taking the order will bring it to you. I find that their indifference is sometimes bothersome, but on the otherhand, most waitstaff personnel have far more tables to handle than you will find in the USA. Therefore they are not going to walk up, smile and say "My name is Charlene and I will be your server tonight. What can I get you from the bar." They take your order impersonally and get it to you.

When you want to pay, you must let them know by signalling. If you don't speak French, like me, I find a small guesture and the universal signal of writing on the palm of the hand will bring the check. Most all of the time you pay the server. I generally leave a tip, but service is included almost all of the time.

But, again, I don't recall a French server pushing any particular item.
So not to worry that you will be ridiculed.

I've had plenty of prix fixe meals in France that did include wine. Some do and some don't.

I would never order a "soda" with dinner and I suspect they will look at someone funny for that, if that means soda pop (or at least they will be thinking it). Ultimately, you're the customer, however. I can't imagine drinking soda pop with dinner, myself.

Another option: unless you've a problem with alcohol, why not order one glass of wine, sip it, and see. You're on vacation. Who knows, you may learn to appreciate wine. France is a wonderful place to discover that you do.

PCHsmiles, I don't have a problem with alcohol but I never order any alcoholic drinks anywhere because I simply do not drink. This is like telling someone who doesn't smoke to have a cigarette when in Europe. Well, some of us DO NOT drink and not because of some problem with alcohol.

Monzmom, we dine often in Paris and never anyone looked at us funny because we don't drink wine. We always order Bodoit with our dinners. I have to admit we never saw any French or non-French person in any restaurants in France ordering soft drinks with dinner. Also coffee is served after dinner and not with your dessert. Have fun