Hello all--

I have a practical question for my upcoming visit to France, and I've searched the forums for similar queries but haven't come up with much.

I'm simply wondering about the protocol for being served in a variety of French eateries, and specifically whether or not the protocol varies depending on the type of eatery. For example, does one just sit in an open table at a cafe, or does one wait to be seated, or does one enter, order, and then go back outside and find an open table? And what about more informal places like brasseries? And would this protocol differ as well for a more formal restaurant?

Perhaps someone could also shed light on the payment method. I know here in the States, if at a new restaurant, I always look around to see whether or not people are receiving checks at the table or walking up to the front cashier to pay. Do most French eateries take care of the check at the table?

Thanks for the information--I just don't want to commit any faux pas with this most important component of a French vacation--eating!

1. The fancier the establishment, the more likely that you should wait to be seated. Any big place will have someone to greet you at the door and direct you to a table. This can vary from taking you to a specific table or just pointing you in a direction to sit where you like. (I wouldn't go as far as to call this person a maître d' in most casual places.)
2. 98% of the time, you will pay at your table. There are very few places where you will be directed to pay at the counter, but in a café/brasserie, if you are in a hurry and the waiter is busy, you are welcome to do so. At the "Chez Papa" chain, where they are ALWAYS super busy, you are encouraged to pay at the bar on your way out.
3. Generally, any outdoor tables, unless they are on an enclosed terrace, are on a first come, first served basis.
4. It is exceedingly rare to have to go inside to order. In almost all cases, this only happens where you are in a café where only one person is doing all the work and there are more people than it is practical to handle.
5. Of course, at any place where you have reserved, they will show you to your table.

You won't be surprised to be told there is no one answer to cover all possibilities.

In cafes, for drinks and/or snacks, sit where you find places. You will be served there, and the check will be settled at the table when you are about to leave (catch the eye of the server to indicate that you wish to settle). Many cafes serve food at lunchtime, and it is bad form to occupy a table set for lunch just to have a drink.

In restaurants for dinner, the general rule is to wait until you are assigned a place. That is not always so at lunchtime, especially on the "terrasse" (the outside tables). You will find it easy enough to judge the style of the establishment, and you can always watch other people to see how they act. Of course, there is the danger that you might follow the example of ill-informed visitors!

kerouac's reply appeared while I was composing mine. His is better.

Hi L,

A. Don't worry if you make a faux pas. No one cares, and you won't be the only one.

1. does one just sit in an open table at a cafe

Sometimes. Sometimes one waits to be seated. Someone will tell you what to do. (Je n'est pas parle francais. Parlez vous anglais, s'il vous plait?)

2. does one enter, order, and then go back outside and find an open table?

Rarely.

3. what about more informal places like brasseries?

A brasserie might be more formal than a bistro, cafe or restaurant. It's hard to tell these days, because with the general lessening of standards, a brasserie could be a restaurant.

4. would this protocol differ as well for a more formal restaurant?

In a restaurant, you are most likely to have made a reservation. You give your name to the maitre d'. You will be seated.

5. Do most French eateries take care of the check at the table?

Yes. However, you might come across a lace (usually Asian) where you are expected to order from a large display, be given a check and pay before being seated.

Not unlike going to Starbuck's.

Enjoy your visit.

Isn't it a courtesy to the staff if you ask if it's ok to sit down before you do, even at outside tables? I usually try to make eye contact and indicate a particular table before I sit down. Deborah

The staff are generally watching their zones like a hawk. They will be over in a flash if there is a specific reason not to sit at a certain table.

kerouac wrote "The staff are generally watching their zones like a hawk."

That's true (subject to kerouac's qualification "generally&quot. If, however, they find a reason not to like you, you might think they do not see you at all. Among the reasons why they might not like you are moving furniture without express or implied agreement, spreading out over more places than your party needs when the place is busy, or being discourteous in other ways.

padraig.. good point about not taking the initiative to move tables together. it is best to let the waiter accomodate your group how he wants.

this is true anywhere.. really, not specific to paris or europe, of course!

>>or does one enter, order, and then go back outside and find an open table? <<

This might get you into unintended trouble. Café prices are typically different for those ordering AND CONSUMING at the bar and those sitting at a table. Ordering at the bar and taking it to a table is a no-no. If you plan to sit at a table, you should do your ordering there, unless specifically told otherwise.

If in doubt, wait to be seated.

Most establishments - unless there is an element of self-service or ordering placed at the bar - like to seat customers themselves. Even if you see other people sitting down uninvited don't do it - they're probably tourists too!

My rule of thumb is to wait for the waiter to appear. Sometimes it will be him coming up to me, asking how many and saying...sit here/sit anywhere...or it could be strictly eye contact from a distance (like an outdoor cafe), where he will signal to sit somewhere /anywhere.

Since there are exceptions....

Last trip, I had a "my" local morning cafe (small place) where I went to coffee, juice and a croissant. In that case, there was not outside service at that hour, so I would walk in, say bonjour to Madame, and then sit wherever. I would not (maybe it's just me) walk in and sit down without acknowledgement (like at shop, by the way)

Also last trip I went for lunch at a couple of places that were really busy (Cafe Hugo -Place des Vosges, Brasserie Ile St Louis - Ile St Louis) where I sat down outside. In those places the waiter was running around trying to take care of many tables, so I grabbed one instead of asking to be seated. No problem.

Hope this eluciates...

Thanks to all for your very helpful responses to what may seem like many to be an "obvious" question. I appreciate your help.

If a cafe has a podium on the outside, do you go up to that person and ask for a table, or just seat yourself at on one of the outdoor tables?

I don't think I've ever seen a podium at a French café/bistro/brasserie/restaurant. I think that's an American thing.

And to the OP, I wouldn't fret.I think it will be MORE than obvious wherever you end up what the expected protocol is. The exception being that it's useful to know in a neighborhood café/bar it's way cheaper to take your coffee at the bar than sit at a designated seat.

Bookmarking, as I may well need this info, and many thanks to those who advise so well.

Someone on a Podium? I now have an image of a skimpily-clad nightclub dancer gyrating wildly on a podium outside the restaurant entrance.

I guess it is something different in the US - what is it there?

Many restaurants in the U.S. have a podium near the front of the restaurant where the hostess/maitre d' is likely to be found when not seating any party. The podium is typically where the reservations book is kept, or if the restaurant accepts walk-ins where the wait list is kept. Menus (for the hostess to take with her to the table and distribute once you are seated) are also generally kept in the podium.

The staff member in question stands behind the podium, not on top of it. No gyrating is expected.

nona1: In Americanese, a "podium" is more like a tall narrow desk. Like what a speaker sometimes uses at the front of a conference room to hold a microphone, water glass etc. About that size.

I know this thread is old - but one other comment about protocol. Very often in the States - especially at more casual places, the waiter will bring the bill w/o being asked. Often even before one is finished eating. That will almost never happen in France (or most anywhere else in Europe). You usually will have to request the bill. The waiter will not want to seem to be rushing you by bringing it before you are good and ready to leave.

was posting the same time as Therese . . . .