France is a country known both for its exquisite food and for its great formality and glamour, especially when it comes to eating. It is that both its gastronomy and the table ceremony in France they are cultural heritage of humanity, so you can already get an idea.
And although it is a neighbor of Spain, it is impossible to compare all the protocol and refined behavior of France, with the informality and joy of Spain. So, if you are thinking of traveling to France or eating in a French restaurant, you should know what is the restaurant etiquette franceso as not to be out of tune.
That is why in the following lines we will talk to you about proper behavior, manners and everything about French restaurant etiquette. Join us!
Dishes that make up a French meal
Before getting into the subject of what dictates the etiquette at the french table, we will talk to you about how many dishes make up a French meal. You have to know that the French love the good things that happen around the table, so a meal can last for hours.
Generally, in a formal meal, up to four dishes and other accompaniments are served, which we will detail below:
- AppetizerServe: Its purpose is to whet the appetite and it is a light and elegant drink and snacks.
- entrée or entrance: These are light dishes that are served hot or cold. Entries can be soups, salads, charcuterie, etc.
- Plat or main dishPairing: It is the main dish, which can be meat or fish accompanied by potatoes, beans or any other garnish.
- troud norman: It consists of a glass of some strong liquor, which serves as a small pause between the previous dishes and those that follow.
- Fromage or cheese board: It is the plate composed of different cheeses.
- desert: This is the traditional dessert such as apple pie, yogurt, among others.
- After dessert, a cup of coffee or tea is usually served.
- Pousse-coffee: After coffee, a small glass of liquor is served, such as cognac, for example.
French table etiquette
As we already mentioned, France is a country known for its etiquette, and even more for his correct behavior at the table. Therefore, to avoid an embarrassing situation, we tell you what you should do when you show up to a French meal.
Don’t put your elbows on the table
Although this rule is applied in many more cultures and not only in France, in this country it is much more important. It is recommended support only the forearms, where everyone present can see your hands.
They say that this custom was born in the time of Louis XIV, because at that time it was quite common for a dish to be poisoned during a meal. So remember, hands always visible on the table and never on your lap or lap.
Clean the plate with the bread
In many regions of the globe, it is rude to eat every last crumb and leave your plate clean, not in France. It is actually quite common to see how they clean the sauce and what is left on the plate with pieces of bread.
Although yes, you should cut the bread with your hands but not pass it directly on the plate. The correct is use a fork, to pass it over the surface of the platebecause it is frowned upon to use your fingers to do so.
waking up unfinished
If you want to show politeness, by getting up from the table before the food is finished, you must ask those present for permission to withdraw. In addition, it is also important, if you have not finished eating yet, to avoid putting the napkin on the table, you should place it on the chair.
You should only leave the folded napkin on the table, in case the meal has already finished.
The position of the cutlery
To accommodate the cutlery correctly French style, you must put the fork on the left side and knife on the right side. Although, to eat all the dishes, various cutlery is placed on the table, such as cheese knives, dessert spoon, etc.
You should also know that the cutlery is placed in a certain way, if you are going to take a short break in the meal, to go to the bathroom for example. In that case, put the fork and knife crossed on the plate, but if you’re done eating, leave both cutlery side by side on the plate.
The use of cutlery
Obviously even more important than the way they are placed on the table is the way you use them. So for use cutlery correctly on a French tableyou should use the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left.
At the end of cutting, avoid passing the fork to the right hand, but you should eat the food keeping the fork with the left. Nor should you cut any food, no matter how smooth, with the edge of the fork, that is very frowned upon.
When it comes to salads, it is not appropriate to cut the salad leaves with the knife. In this case, you just have to take or roll the leaves of the salad with the fork. Or simply use the fork to fold it into several folds and you can comfortably bring it to your mouth.
how to cut cheese
In France they have a wide variety of cheeses and each type of cheese is cut differently. So there is an appropriate knife for each cheese.
To cut the cured cheeses, a knife with a teardrop-shaped blade is used. While for softer and more tender cheeses, the blunt knife is used.
to serve wine
In France, it’s not polite to pour yourself more wine when you want it. It is recommended that empty the glass completely to indicate that you want more wine.
In the event that you do not want to drink more, you indicate this by always leaving some wine in the glass.
eat with elegance
We already know that the French are very elegant people, even when eating. So when they eat and drink it doesn’t seem to be to quench hunger or thirst. Because take very small bite and siplooking very chic when eating.
So when you eat in a French restaurant, don’t choke on it, rather enjoy the food and drink bite by bite.
respect the table plan
In France it is common, and more so in a formal meal, to do prior planning, where seats are assigned and the meal is decided. So, when you are invited, when you arrive, never occupy the place you want, but you must wait to be told where to sit.
If you do, you would be inconsiderate of the host and disrespect the table plan
As for tips
When you taste delicious French dishes in a restaurant, don’t waste time thinking about how much you can tip. Since in this country they usually include the amount of the tip in the bill, and it is not advisable to leave anything else.
Manners and protocols of conduct in France
Before sitting down at the table we must also take care of our behavior so you must know the actions that are signs of courtesy and good manners. So below we name the Major French manners.
greeting with kisses
To begin with, when greeting, in many countries it is customary to give two kisses on the cheeks, but in France it is customary to give three kisses. Start on the left side, then right, and again on the left.
This, in the case of friends, family or people you trust very much. In more formal meals, a firm handshake will suffice to greet.
Bring a little detail
When you are invited to dinner, it is customary to bring a small present for the hosts, they can be chocolates, wines or flowers. Although, if you choose to give a bouquet, you should send it in the morning so they have time to arrange it.
It is considered bad taste to deliver the bouquet upon arrival, as it forces the host to stop entertaining guests to arrange the flowers.
no more than 15 minutes
Incredible as it may seem, in France it’s not bad seen to get something late for dinner. So when you are invited to a place at a certain time, it is totally normal to arrive about 10 minutes late, maximum 15.
You’re also not going to be 30 or 45 minutes late, because you’ll end up annoying the host.
Wait a bit to start
When everything is ready and the drinks are served, you should wait a little longer before you start eating and drinking. Well, it’s common that the host makes a toast first before inviting you to start eating.
It doesn’t matter if you are very hungry, wait for the host to give you the lead to start tasting your food.
Curiosities and superstitions in France
France has a very extensive culture formed by thousands of years of evolution, which is why it is full of curious customs and beliefs. So to wrap it up, we have some curiosities and superstitions related to food, in France.
crumple the napkin
A somewhat strange custom that is very common in France is to leave the napkin wrinkled once you finish eating. Of course, this symbology or action is only carried out when the diner wants to express that he has been very satisfied with the food.
The last glass of the bottle
In France it is customary to say that the person who drinks the last glass of a bottle of wine will marry before the end of the year. And this has a funny origin, because she was born in the bars of the middle ages.
During that time, it was customary for men who went to taverns to order jugs of wine. And only the one who had to drink the last portion of the wine, he could woo the waitress.
Do not put the bread upside down
In many countries it doesn’t mean anything in particular if you put the bread upside down on the table, but in France this is something that not accepted at all. It is related to bad luck, so you must keep it in mind.
This popular belief comes from the fact that in ancient times, at the time of executing capital punishment, the loaves of the executioners were put upside down. This was done to notify the executors that there were executions to be carried out.
flipped forks
A surprising fact about french table traditions, is that forks and even spoons always go with the tips down. This custom had its origin in the times of the French Revolution. Well, the aristocrats were worried about everything that had a point, since it reminded them of the weapons of the Sans Culottes.
We hope that with all the advice and recommendations that you have found in this post, you can rigorously comply with the french restaurant etiquette.