Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BEING A GOOD GUEST
Once you are invited to a French home, remember these
basic rules which the French also follow. They will help you
get invited back and thus help you establish a friendship for
life. That is how the French are about their friends.
Arrive at the appointed time, but not much earlier. Up to
20 minutes late is ok, but even then you might call on
your cell and let them know. You will probably be invited
for 8:00 pm or later in Paris.
Dress as you would go out to a restaurant for dinner, the
later the appointed hour, the more fancy the dress code.
For the men, the code rarely goes beyond a suit and tie.
Don't arrive empty-handed. Bring a small offering,
something from one of those delightful little speciality
shops you've been admiring. Don't bring wine. (
see
Rules
For Gifts
on the opposite page
)
Allow time to i nd the address. The numbers on buildings
in Paris increase very slowly. Number 20 may be a long
walk from number 2, and often there is a 2b following
number 2 and before number 4, all independent
addresses. Don't forget to ask for the door code, as most
residential buildings in Paris now have front doors that are
locked. You punch the code into the key pad outside. A
green light will come on, a click or a buzzer will sound, and
the door unlocks. The individual doorbells in the building
will be inside.
You will be welcomed into the living room and offered
an
apéritif
... called a 'cocktail', but it will probably be
something small and sweet, or a short whisky. Don't
have the
faute de goût
(bad taste) to ask for wine. Wines
will be served with the meal. Let your hosts serve you.
Stand to receive your drink when it comes and to greet
other guests.
There will be something to nibble, crackers or nuts rather
than fancy American
hors d'oeuvres
(which on a restaurant
menu usually means assorted vegetables). The meal may
well be an hour or more away, but don't i ll up. Polly
Platt refers to this 'introductory' period of the French
evening at home as a very awkward one. It is your job
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