9. AboutThe Cafes

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9. AboutThe Cafes

Updated January 21 2003

The Café in France is something comparable to the dim sum teahouse tradition of China, except smokier.

The total cost is a single purchase of coffee. The French drink their coffee in little cups; this is what you will get unless you ask for a Grande. The coffee is really espresso. And it will always be expresso, unless you say ,you want something different. But, watch yourself, once you drinking expresso, a Good ole cup of Joe back home will never taste the same! If you want creme you must ask for it. Your coffee will always come with at least two small cases of sugar, and usually a piece of semi sweet chocolate. Virgins Records serve their coffee with a sugar and a chocolate cover almond! There is something for everyone.The espresso can have milk added to it, called a café crème or watered down and served in a large cup café American.

There is no such thing as a refill on coffee. You will pay for each cup of cafe you drink.. They do not have "pots" of coffee standing by. Each cup of coffee is a cup into itself.

Note:

Keep in mind; some places charge differently, depending on where you are seated.

The cheapest is usually always , service at the bar .

The most expensive is outside. The closer you move towards the door, the more expensive that cup of coffee will become.

You can sit for hours in a sidewalk cafe, with a book or postcards to write, or just watch the world go by, you will not be bothered. I mean you can stay, and no one will stare at you with hungry eyes hoping you will leave soon, so they can have your table. It is your table for as long as you like.

Of course, if all the tables are full. Do not be surprised if someone should ask if they might sit at your table.

They are not asking you for a date, conversation, or trying to flirt the latter Is possible, but only if you look up and start to smile. Remember, smiling at a stranger, usually means you are interested.

In Europe, it is common for strangers to “share “a table. They do not disturb one another; they still respect your privacy, as you should return in the same.You bought the “coffee” not the “table”. This may take a little getting use to for Americans.

“This is my table, you may have the extra chairs, but this is my table, please go away, thank you very much”. We are so use to “SPACE”, and our own little “BUBBLE”.

Many Europeans are use to very small space; so unless you are in a booth, do as the Romans do, share.

Note:

You will also find people smoking in restaurants, especially at the end of their meal. You can ask for a “no smoking” section but as places are small, your best bet is to sit outside or by the door.

A Little more Formal Dining out.

The French almost always organize their social lives around a meal. This is true also for a lot of professional and commercial activities. So usually count on a long a languorous dinner if a French person asks you out. If you're doing the asking, you should probably count on a meal also.

If you would like to be conscious of the form of the French meal

A first dish, even if it's a simple salad or a plate of healthy radishes with salt and bread and butter.

Many French meals serve the salad not before the meal, but after the meal. Many times , a lite salad is served just before the dessert, to

cleanse the palette.

Aperitif - ( a Kir Royale is nice) If you want your meal to be truly French; do not order coffee before or during your meal. Coffee is always serve ALONE or After dessert.

Two ways to order your wine:

1. Order your wine a glass (verre) or a bottle ( bouteille a` vin) with your dinner.

2 Or Order a different wine for each course.

Entree` - on french menus , the entree` is the "entrance to your Main meal . There is no French word for appetizer ; the entree items

usually unclude many fish items, and foie.

A main course - this is your Main dish . In the States French Main = American Entree.

Bread, cheese ( or you may want to have a cheese plate for dessert)

Salad

Dessert

Coffee ; coffee is a very important ending to any great French meal. It is a meal with in it's self. It is not served with dessert. You must state that you what it all with your dessert. If ,for example if you say you would like creame brelee` and coffee; the waiter may bring your creame brelee` and than wait for you to finish then he will remove your dessert plate before he brings your coffee. And keep in mind there are no refills on coffee.

Often the cheese course gets skipped but if you want to entertain at home you should be prepared to offer one if you have French guest. . And not just a block of Swiss or a wheel of Camembert, a nice selection of ripe cheeses is always appreciated.