Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Do place your knife and fork neatly and diagonally, across
the top of your plate when you have finished eating.
Do inform a waiter of your dietary needs (no butter, etc.)
by asking how a dish has been prepared. But if a waiter
says that a dish would be ruined without a particular
ingredient, don't argue. Order something else.
Do close your menu and put it on the table, when you
are ready to order. If you keep looking at it (even just out
of curiosity), the waiter will assume you are still deciding
and will not approach the table to take your order.
Do ask for the bill (
l'addition
) when you are ready to leave.
The waiter waits for your cue.
Do leave a small tip—about five per cent of the bill—in
cash on the table, if the service has been acceptable.
A basic gratuity of 12-15 per cent is included in
the bill.
Don'ts
Don't cut your lettuce leaves. If the salad has large pieces
of lettuce, fold them with your fork and knife.
Don't mop up gravy with bread in your fingers, use a knife
and fork. Don't mop at all, unless you're with friends.
Don't ask for coffee before the end of a meal. Coffee is
served after the dessert, not with it.
Don't smoke before asking for permission from diners at
your table and those nearby. Come February 2008, a ban
on smoking will come into effect.
Don't talk business immediately at a business lunch or
dinner. Catch up on the news before you zoom in; follow
your colleagues' cues.
Don't pour the wine yourself—the waiter, host, or
sommelier will do it. But you pour your own water.
Don't expect to take leftovers with you. There are no
doggy bags in France. Don't even ask.
DINING ETIQUETTE AT SOMEONE'S HOME
Do's
Do follow all the above general guidelines meticulously.
Do bring something nice, but don't bring anything that
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