Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Meeting The French Waiter Head On
The person serving you in a restaurant (or a café, a shop or any
public place) may be cool, at first, especially in Paris. This is
often misinterpreted as indifference or hostility. More often it is
professionalism or uncertainty, or both.
What? That doesn't make sense!
Well, consider this.
A good French waiter is a proud man who wants to do his job well.
He is nothing like an American kid working tables in Hollywood, just
waiting to be discovered. This job is his life. He is proud of the food he
serves and he wants his customers satisi ed. He expects you to take
your time and to take his food seriously. He is there to assist you in
making a wise decision among the many options on the menu. He
considers himself a professional.
But he worries: Are you just another tourist who doesn't speak
French? Will he have to embarrass himself with his poor English?
Probably you would prefer a quick hamburger and a coke to a proper
French meal, so is he wasting his time? Or, worst of all, are you one of
those ofi cious superior Frenchmen who will treat him like a servant
instead of the professional he is?
As a person new to this restaurant, you need his expertise and
assistance in getting something truly delicious. Wait patiently until
he can get to your table. Respect the fact that he knows you are there
and he has others to serve ahead of you.
When he comes to your table (remember, always i rst say
Bonjour,
Monsieur
), even if you can't speak much French, look the man in the
eye (making him a human, your equal, not a servant) and ask for his
advice. “
Qu'est-ce que vous proposez?
” (What do you recommend?)
Now, he can do his job!
WINE AND ITS PART IN FRENCH LIFE
Most of the wine drunk in France does not fall into the Grand
Cuisine, AOC, categories described in Chapter 7: The Greatest
Arts of France on page 145. The stereotypical working-class
Frenchman starts his day 'killing the worm' at his favourite
bar or café, with a shot of basic red wine (plonk, to the
English) followed by an express, the thick, bitter concentrated
coffee in the tiny cup. Every bar in France serves this peculiar
combination, though it's mostly the older generation that
adheres to the tradition.
Except for breakfast, however, no proper French person
would consider a meal without wine. From the time a child
is old enough to hold a glass, he is allowed to share in the
enjoyment of this beverage at family celebrations, though he
must be 14 to be served legally in a restaurant.
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