| Many visitors to Paris have thought of Parisians as | | | | for waiters to take the order, it does not mean, they |
| rude in nature especially the waiters at a Paris | | | | are ignoring you. In French culture and customs, it |
| restaurant. Due to the cultural differences, Parisian | | | | means that they expect you to be comfortable and |
| follow different etiquette, and travelers often think | | | | stay for longer period of time. In fact they would also |
| them rude. This article deals with cultural differences in | | | | not come quickly to clear your table when you are |
| France that might be helpful to change your belief | | | | done with meals.o Once you are served with the |
| regarding restaurant staff and other Parisians in | | | | chosen order or meals, do not expect the waiter to |
| general. | | | | visit at your table frequently. As per French customs, it |
| Language as the main barrier | | | | is considered impolite if a waiter disturbs you during |
| Though English is a language spoken all over the globe, | | | | meals.o Rather a waiter in Paris is expected to |
| there are many people in France who still speak and | | | | know-how to check on your table with just a quick |
| understand their mother tongue only i.e. French. Just | | | | glance or from afar. Coming in-between the meals is |
| imagine if someone outside your country with a | | | | considered as pestering and disturbing the customers. |
| different language visits your place then in what | | | | Paris restaurants are very professional. They do an |
| language you will communicate him with. Of course in | | | | excellent job and feel proud not to disturb you |
| your mother tongue isn't it? The same happens with | | | | in-between asking about the services or keeping a |
| French people too. When an outsider visit their place | | | | check on your plate. So, when in France, do not |
| they naturally start with French and if they are not able | | | | expect your waiter to come in between and enquire if |
| to catch the language you speak, they might appear to | | | | everything is fine.o After finishing your meals, never |
| you neglecting or rude or as you think them so. | | | | expect that the waiter would bring the bill quickly. As in |
| And you will be more than surprised to know that | | | | French customs it is considered impolite as it shows |
| same people who found Parisians rude are usually the | | | | that you want the customers to leave the restaurant |
| ones whom the French people themselves considered | | | | fast. However, if you are visiting a cafe for a cup of |
| as unbearably objectionable. So it is not the rudeness | | | | coffee then the waiter might place the bill on your table |
| in the behaviour but the cultural difference on both the | | | | right away.o While communicating with waiters you will |
| ends. | | | | notice an unspoken code in French culture and |
| I do not say that you would not find any rude person in | | | | customs. To call a waiter or get his attention, what you |
| Paris. Of course there are but many times it happens | | | | can do is develop an eye contact with him and raise |
| that due to our cultural differences what seems rude | | | | your hand or index finger. If you want to rush quickly |
| to us might be considered decency somewhere else. | | | | then make yourself more visible to your waiter by |
| Let us know some general etiquette in Paris. | | | | "hand-talking" i.e. making gestures to bring the bill.o Do |
| General etiquette | | | | not ever try to speed up things at your end or the |
| One thing which French are very adamant is | | | | restaurant staff would think that they are not doing |
| exchanging greetings at first meeting. It is considered | | | | their job well.o As mentioned earlier, language may be |
| ill-mannered if you begin interacting with a person | | | | a problem in Paris but it will be more annoying if you |
| without exchanging greetings first. Regardless of | | | | assume that the waiter at a hotel understands English |
| whom you meet or where you go, you must first | | | | and start with him in English. Though he might have the |
| greet the person without beginning the conversation. | | | | basic knowledge of English, he would be miffed if you |
| Restaurant etiquette in Paris | | | | start with him in a foreign language. So if you learn a |
| Generally if you work with some hospitality industry, like | | | | few introductory words in French and use them at |
| hotels or restaurants, you need to be polite and show | | | | restaurant, you will make a good impression there.o |
| respect to the ones who come to you. People at | | | | Like many places in world, waiters in Paris do not run |
| service in Paris know their job well. If you are visiting | | | | for tips. |
| the city for the first time then you must know some | | | | Whatever profession they are in, most Parisians |
| restaurant etiquette.o People in Paris take their meals | | | | respect their profession and do their job very well. No |
| seriously. When visiting a restaurant, you must be | | | | wonder you hardly notice any fake smile to win your |
| dressed properly and show warmth in you | | | | heart, so do not take it as rudeness. Rather learn a |
| body-language.o The moment you enter a restaurant, | | | | few etiquettes and enjoy the warm hospitality of the |
| you are likely to be welcomed with "Bon Jour" which | | | | Parisians. |
| means "Good Morning".o In Paris if it takes a lot of time | | | | |