Hey everyone, this is Courtney, Editor of Paris Unlocked and happy to answer any additional questions you might have about French/Parisian etiquette! Thanks for watching, and be sure to visit my site for tons of tips on planning a trip to Paris, French culture, food, history & more: www.parisunlocked.com
I wish you mentioned how to read a crowd or in a cafe, bar , or restaurant. If everyone is speaking in a hushed tone. Please refrain from being the loudest. Most restaurants have a quarter of service staff. They serve, bus tables, and serve drinks. They aren’t ignoring customers. They are just working their butts off. Most restaurants don’t have walk in freezers. So the food is fresher. They make plates to order. And they space out the courses for a relaxed meal. Reservations are there to insure there is enough daily purchases of food. I love that the seat is yours until you leave. I’ve seen Americans get bent out of shape. When the table is still occupied at the reserved time. If eating a little later. I’ve never felt the bums rush. Even after the restaurant has closed.
My Dutch friends told me that keeping your hands above the table is something that started with Queen Victoria of England. She was very proper and wanted to make sure there was no funny business going on under the table. It is a European custom, not just in France.
Thanks so much for this feedback! Sometimes it is indeed tricky to trace the origins of particular traditions of etiquette, as so many begin with royal circles-- and they all tended to mix. In any case, thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
