Sure, let’s be honest: France is a paradise for food enthusiasts. With small bakeries overflowing with buttery croissants and crisp baguettes, along with cozy cafes, sophisticated bistros, and high-end eateries awarded Michelin stars, the nation’s culinary landscape is truly remarkable. No matter your preference,
getting some midday food in Paris
Whether you’re grazing through the landscapes of Provence or indulging in local treats, you can be confident that every meal will be satisfying. However, dining in France does present certain hurdles, particularly due to the stringent culinary standards observed by the locals.
Unvoiced dining etiquette guidelines that travelers ought to be aware of to prevent appearing inexperienced.
And, although many tourists may readily miss these nuances, being aware of several of these customs prior to your visit can greatly assist you in fitting in seamlessly.
Specifically, one of the key French dining customs revolves around what beverages you consume during meals—or rather, which ones you avoid. Upon sitting down for your initial meal in France, you will swiftly realize that something common isn’t present on the table: soda. In contrast to the U.S., where having a Coca-Cola or Sprite alongside your dish is entirely typical, the French consider soft drinks unrelated to mealtimes. Rather, be prepared to see mostly water (either sparkling or still), wine, or beer served in almost every household across France during both lunches and dinners.
This tradition is deeply rooted such that the primary setting where you might spot French individuals consuming soda during meals would be at quick-service restaurants. Even within these venues, this practice isn’t very common. Should you observe someone ordering a Coca-Cola in an older-style dining location, there’s typically a distinctively Gallic approach to serving it; usually accompanied by a petite glass bottle along with a highball glass filled with ice cubes and a freshly cut sliver of lemon.
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Other Unique French Dining Habits That Could Astonish You
Aside from refusing sodas, French dining customs vary in numerous other aspects. Firstly, the French generally utilize their silverware for nearly every dish. This explains why it’s quite typical to observe residents consuming usually finger-friendly foods (such as pizza) using a knife and fork instead. Additionally, you probably won’t catch them switching implements between their dominant and non-dominant hands for cutting versus eating; rather, they’re instructed to maintain their fork in the left hand and their knife in the right hand for the duration of the meal.
When visiting France, you’ll likely observe fairly quickly how distinctively quiet and serene French eateries can be compared to their American counterparts. Contrary to the typical experience stateside where diners often get accustomed to an increasing volume throughout the evening, this isn’t common practice here. Additionally, many French venues refrain from playing music, fostering an environment centered around dialogue, camaraderie, and culinary enjoyment without the distraction of boisterous sounds.
Finally, never request to take home your leftover food. Even though this is commonly done in the U.S. when you haven’t finished your meal,
Requesting a takeaway bag in France might be viewed as impolite.
This is due to many French eateries viewing “doggy bags” as an indication that you did not find your meal enjoyable enough to finish it entirely, or that you might be too concerned with costs.
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