13. Don’t Ask for a Doggie Bag
Taking leftovers home is considered gauche in France. Portions aren’t overly gargantuan here as they are in some other countries (ahem, America), so chances are you can clean your plate of whatever French deliciousness the chef has prepared for you. Leaving scraps on your plate is perceived as disrespectful to the cook, and asking to slop it into a take-out box is an insult to the freshness, care and presentation that goes into plating a fine French meal. That being said, if you’re a tourist who won’t be a regular customer and you want what you’ve paid for, go ahead and ask for a doggy bag. Just know that the staff will be rolling their eyes at you back in the kitchen.
14. Don’t Order Coffee, Tea or Soft Drinks With Your Meal
In many countries, it’s okay to have a cup of joe, sip soda or drink a flavored beverage throughout a casual meal – and keep the refills coming. Not so in France. Water or wine are the accepted liquids to accompany food. Sure, you can order a Coke or juice or whatever you like, but you’ll be going against the grain here. If you don’t want to stand out like a sore foreign thumb, do like the French do. A glass of wine is usually cheaper than a soda, and tap water is free (no need to pay for the bottled stuff), so this shouldn’t be a problem.
