Restaurant etiquette in France
Feb 9th, 2008, 07:41 PM
#62
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I cannot believe how many responses my post has received and how serious some of them are. A big reason I asked those specific questions was out of curiosity. I am merely interested in the habits of the country I am visiting in order to be respectful. In addition, I also realize that there are other pressing issues in the world and that there are other things about my vacation that I have to concern myself with. But here is the thing, I am not worrying about whether or not I will be laughed at if I switch my utensils or if I place my hands on my laugh. These were merely subjects I read about on this board and was curious about. So thank you everyone for a highly educational foray into the do's and don'ts of dining in Paris-especially those who were not too miffed by my post and actually gave me some great advice.
Feb 10th, 2008, 10:38 AM
#64
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All the comments about being belittled for one's manners remind me of a story about a hostess who believed it was her job to make every guest feel comfortable.
She had set out finger bowls and when a guest, thinking they were a different sort of drinking glass, lifted his to his lips, she did likewise.
My mother always taught us that we should watch the hostess and use our utensils in the same way and the same order. She said the point of manners was like that of oil in motors: to make things run smoothly. To that end, rude jokes and comments, derogatory remarks about the food, belittling remarks to others, gross noises were to be avoided in polite company. (I am ashamed to admit that my siblings and I sometimes tried to see who could be the most outrageous when my parents were not at home for supper--a very, very rare occasion.)
She had set out finger bowls and when a guest, thinking they were a different sort of drinking glass, lifted his to his lips, she did likewise.
My mother always taught us that we should watch the hostess and use our utensils in the same way and the same order. She said the point of manners was like that of oil in motors: to make things run smoothly. To that end, rude jokes and comments, derogatory remarks about the food, belittling remarks to others, gross noises were to be avoided in polite company. (I am ashamed to admit that my siblings and I sometimes tried to see who could be the most outrageous when my parents were not at home for supper--a very, very rare occasion.)
Feb 10th, 2008, 10:41 AM
#65
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By the way, I forgot to say thank you to all the posters with helpful advice and bits of information. I hope to be in France this spring on my own and will try to be a grownup and not embarrass other Americans.
