![]() It’s not sarcastic, they’re not being nosy or passing comment on your choice: They are being sincere. If you do settle on a park bench or other public spot to enjoy a sandwich or a picnic, don’t take offence if passers by comment “Bon appétit”. Fifteen years ago, it was highly unusual to see people eating in the streets (other than tourists), but now it’s more widespread as even the French are dealing with shorter lunch breaks and eating on the move. ![]() If you just wait for them to bring it, you’ll be waiting a long time, with both parties thinking the other has time to waste! Bon appétit? None of your business! France respects your right to sit, digest and chat, so you need to ask for the bill when you’re ready. It’s well known that the French are happy to linger over their meals, but you might have found yourself waiting half an hour for the bill even after you’ve told them that you’ve finished. Congratulations! Or, if you prefer, try the more acceptable versions: “ Merci, j’ai assez mangé” or “Non, c’est bon, merci”. Except, if you declare, “ Non merci, je suis pleine” you have actually just announced that you’re pregnant. is occasionally employed to describe a physical loss of balance or general mistakes (for instance: mes faux pas dans la vie, the mistakes I made in my. However, it is a formal rather than everyday expression in French and does not generally have the figurative meaning used in English. The meal is over and you want to decline dessert, so when the waitress asks, you say “No thank you, I’m full”. The term comes from French and literally means 'false step'. Photo credit © GUILLIAMS Laurent Thank you, I’m pregnant Pull this off, and you’ll get a discreet nod of respect from the owners. Oh, and wherever this applies, you’re also expected to say goodbye to everyone again when you leave: “ Au revoir, Messieurs-dames”. As a guide, the more provincial the setting, the more this greeting is expected, so listen out for it when visiting, and try it for yourself. You’ll notice that a newcomer will give a general greeting of “ Bonjour, Messieurs-dames” as he or she enters the establishment, and those already seated will respond… or not, depending on their character and nationality. This routine is particularly prevalent in smaller towns and rural areas, where it applies to bars, restaurants and cafés alike. One of the highlights of France is its fabulous food but beware: Even with faultless French grammar, you can unknowingly upset a lot of people! To avoid upsetting the waiter or shocking the chef, Annaliza Davis shares her own insights, mostly learned from cringeworthy experiences.
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