| It's common knowledge that the French are | | | | called cooked. By the way, that's one of the most |
| gourmets and aesthetes. That's why it's | | | | favourite with the French people dishes. Saignante |
| absolutely impossible to go even to the baker's in | | | | is roasted meat with blood. A point stands for the |
| trunks and slippers or chew your morning roll in a | | | | middle-roasted beef, and bien cuit is well-fried |
| subway. Unless you want to be looked at with | | | | meat. |
| disapproval of course. | | | | Waiters |
| So if you want to live in Paris you'd better get | | | | Don't think that the waiters are rude and ill-bred |
| used to be always smartly dressed. Besides that | | | | because they didn't introduce themselves and |
| would be nice if you try and learn at least several | | | | rushed to refill your jug after you've made the |
| words in French to talk to the owner of the | | | | first sip of water. As a rule, there are just a |
| boulangerie. Even the weakest attempts to speak | | | | couple of waiters in the restaurant, and they are |
| French will certainly be appreciated! Let me give | | | | really very busy. |
| you some pieces of advice that will make your | | | | Take it for granted that the process of eating is |
| life in Paris easier. | | | | a ritual, so don't hurry, relax and enjoy your meal. |
| Drinks | | | | After you've had your dinner ask to bring |
| Nobody makes you order bottled water you'll | | | | l'addition. But ask it only when you will really be |
| have to pay for. When in France, do as the | | | | leaving the restaurant as it is considered impolite |
| French do - order "carafe d'eau" (decanter of | | | | to hand it in to you before you really leave. |
| water). If you buy a water in a bottle, specify | | | | Courtesy |
| which water you prefer: "gazeuse" (sparkling) or | | | | Don't forget to greet the owner of the shop |
| "plat"(still). | | | | when entering the building. Say Bonjour "Madame |
| Wine served in a decanter is of a high quality and | | | | Monsieur". Leaving the shop bid farewell - "Merci |
| is rather inexpensive in comparison with the | | | | Madame/Monsieur". |
| bottled wine. If you can't decide which wine to | | | | Coffee |
| choose, order Côte du Rhône, a good | | | | If you order coffee you will be served a small |
| red wine favoured by many connoisseurs. | | | | cup (excluding the morning hours when the French |
| Tips | | | | are having breakfast). If you want coffee with |
| Tips are always included in a total sum. Anyway | | | | milk ask café crème; if you order |
| you can additionally leave some money to the | | | | café au lait (coffee with milk) you will be |
| waiter if you liked the way you were served, but | | | | looked at with surprise as this is coffee served in |
| that's not necessarily. In a good restaurant it's | | | | a big cup and it is usually drunk at home. Espresso |
| normal if you leave 5% of the total. | | | | is café noisette in French. |
| Meat Dishes | | | | Following these simple rules you'll find the life in |
| Ordering meat with blood, or bleu bear in mind | | | | France much easier! |
| that it's almost raw meat, which can hardly be | | | | |