PETITE PARISCOPE
Cultural Etiquette
for the Foreign Francophile!
Dining: How to dine with Parisians in a
Paris home!
·
The 15-minute rule - If you show up at the appointed hour, chances are you’ll end up waiting for your host to appear. If
you’re much later than 15 minutes, you’ll probably score a dirty look or two.
·
The emphasis is on dinner, not grazing appetizers - don't expect lots of appetizers. The
French don’t like to ruin the appetite
pre-dinner. Dinner is usually first course, main course, cheese platter and
dessert.
·
Eating bread - do not bite and do not slice bread with a knife. Instead
tear/pulling pieces apart with your fingers and eating smaller bits. If butter
is offered as it usually is, use your knife the spread the butter; do not swipe
the bread across the butter.
·
Fork in left hand - watch a French person eat and the fork is always in their left
hand the entire time, not just when cutting food. It seems strange to the
French to switch the fork to the right hand after we cut our food.
·
Keep your hands in view - Not in your lap. As for elbows, some
French keep them on the table some don’t. So just follow the lead of those
you're with.
·
Eating salad - do not cut your salad leaves into smaller pieces, instead use
your fork (in your left hand, if you can) to fold the leaves into a small,
bite-size portion.
·
Soup rules - Soupspoons are used when there’s soup, and always tip the
shallow soup bowl away from you when you’re finishing it. If you’re presented
with a bowl that looks like a cup with handles, you may pick it up and drink
the last remains and not be considered rude.
·
Wine - Never pour your own wine—wait for your host or hostess or another
delegate to refill your glass. The French are very good at drinking in
moderation during long dinners; in other words, don’t overindulge if you’re
attending a “proper” French dinner party. If you’re offered an apéritif before
dinner, opt for champagne or white wine.
·
Don’t ask your dinner partner what he or she does for a living. They’ll
tell you sooner or later and if you’re French or understand the “social codes.”
·
Don’t ask questions about income or salary—that’s considered ruder than
rude.
·
Don’t say you don’t like a particular food served to you. If you’re a
vegetarian or have certain dietary restrictions, notify your host before the
dinner and offer to bow out if accommodating your needs is awkward for the
hostess.
· Don’t ask for a tour of the apartment. The
French consider that an invasion of their personal space and whatever you do,
never ask the cost of an apartment or home.
·
Don’t serve cheese before dinner, should you ever entertain French
guests. Cheese is served after the main course with or without salad.
·
Dress code - Even if your host tells you to dress casually for an informal
dinner in a French person’s home, don’t take them at their word and don’t
arrive wearing anything less than you’d wear to a cocktail party unless you’re
dining at a country home.
·
Safe dinner discussion topics - You’ll never go wrong asking your hosts
and their guests about recent vacations, their next vacation and what they’re
currently reading. Those subjects are safe.
·
Last words of advice - Take the hint about when it’s time to
leave and do make a polite exit. If a tray of water and juice is passed, that’s
a signal that it’s been a lovely evening.
