10. Don’t Forget to Greet the Shopkeeper
In some countries, it’s okay to just nod, smile or ignore the staff when you walk into a shop. If you need help, you’ll ask, and it’s not considered particularly rude if you don’t engage in friendly banter or a greeting. Things are a bit more formal and polite in France. When you walk in and out of a small boutique, bakery, pharmacy or shop, you should always acknowledge the clerk with a crisp bonjour – better yet, bonjour Madame or Monsieur. Mercis are always appreciated as well. Skipping this vital step will not win you good service, and may indeed be igniting that haughty attitude you’ll no doubt receive because of it.
11. Don’t Ask for a Bread Plate
French bread is magnifique, but there are a few points of etiquette to keep in mind when partaking in le pain in France. The first thing that surprises most foreigners is that bread plates aren’t provided at restaurants. Rather than making room for a piece on your entree plate, it is perfectly acceptable to keep your bread on the table beside it. Yup, crumbs and all, right on the tablecloth. You may also be surprised that butter is not usually provided as a bread spread either, except perhaps at breakfast time. Rather than filling on bread before your meal arrives (tempting as that basket may be), it’s best to wait and consume it alongside your meal. Break off little bite-sized pieces to place in your mouth as you eat. Don’t slice off slabs with a knife or munch on a big knob of bread, barbarian-style. Bread is sacred in France, so don’t be an oaf with your loaf.
12. Don’t Expect the Waiter to Bring You the Bill
The French are very laissez fair about hanging out in cafes, bistros or restaurants as long as you’d like. There’s no pressure to turn tables here, and so you can nurse a glass of wine or a cup of coffee to spend all day at a coveted spot on a sidewalk table should you choose. The flip side is the waiter won’t anticipate your need for the bill or present it to you in a timely manner unless you specifically ask for it. To them, handing out the check is akin to rushing you out the door. They’re not necessarily ignoring you, neglecting you or providing poor service. They’re just happy to have you linger.
