I have been living both in France 🇫🇷 and in the United States 🇺🇸 apparently the way to manage customers in Paris (which actually doesn’t represent all French culture) could be perceived a bit arrogant. Nevertheless I do not like this fake pointless American way to welcome customers in the restaurant when:internal temperature is freezing 🥶 due to air conditioning, the service is fast food-style for the second shift in the restaurant, all the conversations is just for tips 😢 on the final bill
In the south and southwest of France you will almost always get a bottle (almost always glass, sometimes an old wine bottle) of chilled and filtered tap water (eau du robinet) without even asking. There are generally water glasses on every table when you sit down (and it's a sign that the table is available for you to sit at). If you drink all of it, you'll usually get a second bottle also without asking. To be clear you will NOT get ice, but the water is COLD.
As an Aussie that visited the states for a 3 month period, I can confirm that we are ten times nicer and friendlier than Americans, and we aren’t relying on tips. I was shocked by how rude Americans were.
Having to deal with American waiters is one of the reasons I have really little desire to go back to the USA: I’d go with French service even if the American one didn’t come with a 20% price tag!
I guess that is one possibility. Of course on BIG difference is that the tip, by French LAW, has already been included in the price on the menu. Bet most people did not know that.
Yes, go early for lunch. The French dont eat at their desks and many workplaces don't have cafeterias, so restaurants are focused on feeding the workforce. No, getting tap water is never an issue and will often be offered as an option. Speaking a little French helps though.
I simply don’t recognise the French version, as a Brit I have visited many different parts of France and I often have mid week breaks in Paris. I live in the north it’s not that much more difficult or expensive to fly to Paris from Newcastle than to do the same for London. I have never had poor service from the French wait staff. I do recognise the US version, which although I know they are being nice I personally find to be a little over the top particularly given the fact that I have actually been told I have to leave because they need the table. I’m sorry but if you are going to do that tell me when I book a table that I have a set time frame to enjoy my meal, which incidentally was excellent. So, I think I will go for the French restaurant and be able to relax and take my time over the gushing service and being chivied into leaving.
It is not like they are friendly they are just begging for money, as soon as you finish they make you leave and pay the food and the staff. If you don't pay for the staff they look at you like it is your fault their system is shit.
Super dumb video and caricatural to the extreme, especially when comparing US (always good) and France (always bad). This girl also acts like a « pétasse », which she probably is.
In US, the waitress/waiter is super obnoxious and bore you to death with the litany of « specials of the day » that is so long that when she has finished, you have already forgotten most of the list. At every minute she/he comes and asks if everything is OK, interrupting whatever conversation you are in. When you have finished (or more likely, abandoned) your meal, she/he pops up with the bill. This level of rudeness happens in most restaurants, except the most posh (which are usually run by non-US chefs).
Food is also not very good in US, except in the aforementioned posh places. The menu generally offers too many options to be able to deliver quality (best restaurants have a narrow menu selection). It’s also pretentious with everything cooked or seasoned « to the perfection » (which almost never is). On top of this, it’s difficult to have enjoy the meal because everybody is yelling as if they had something interesting to say.
Also, to clarify, you’ll find rude waitresses/waiters in France mainly in tourist places, where no local would deign to go.
This is way off. The best meals and service I have had were in Europe…..they prepare food fresh not like the made ahead microwave junk you get in the USA. They are respectful no casual banter or false familiarity.
The reason they act like this in France is because they all belong to a national union that allows 3 months off every year and guarenteed job security.
America now focus on TIPS TIPS TIPS only and god forbid you are halfway through you lunch and your tip hungry server want wants to leave as the shift is over – France its as though you have just walked in on their granny’s funeral and asked for directions to Azerbaijan
USA: Great waitress, low price, mediocre food at best – France: Mediocre staff, high price, absolutely gorgeous food. I dine out for the food, not the pleasantries. Not often these days though, prices have gotten beyond ridiculous. Better to cook at home in the first place.
French people don't like rude waiters (and people in general too); but what you consider rude is what we consider normal; and what you consider nice is what we consider "over the top abnoxiously cheerful please for the love of god tone it down"
45 Comments
Penne alla vodka ???
Tip vs No Tip is the reason.
I'm French and I have to admit that you perfectly captured the "rude French waiter" mannerisms.
It's not French restaurant, it's parisian restaurant. Go outside Paris and others big cities and you will have a new point of view
I have been living both in France 🇫🇷 and in the United States 🇺🇸 apparently the way to manage customers in Paris (which actually doesn’t represent all French culture) could be perceived a bit arrogant. Nevertheless I do not like this fake pointless American way to welcome customers in the restaurant when:internal temperature is freezing 🥶 due to air conditioning, the service is fast food-style for the second shift in the restaurant, all the conversations is just for tips 😢 on the final bill
The french example is restaurants for tourists, absolutely not restaurants for french people .
In the south and southwest of France you will almost always get a bottle (almost always glass, sometimes an old wine bottle) of chilled and filtered tap water (eau du robinet) without even asking. There are generally water glasses on every table when you sit down (and it's a sign that the table is available for you to sit at). If you drink all of it, you'll usually get a second bottle also without asking. To be clear you will NOT get ice, but the water is COLD.
Not true at all… French Law obliges all restaurants to give water when serving food
The US seems the worst place to be an introvert.
At least the French are not fake enthusiastic just for the tips
Oh hell naw 😂
Hmmm, the brought a large jug when you ask for tap
As an Aussie that visited the states for a 3 month period, I can confirm that we are ten times nicer and friendlier than Americans, and we aren’t relying on tips. I was shocked by how rude Americans were.
Having to deal with American waiters is one of the reasons I have really little desire to go back to the USA: I’d go with French service even if the American one didn’t come with a 20% price tag!
Penne alla vodka is sooo 80s 😂
Thats because US server's wages is based on tipping. 😅
Yeah but at least in France and the rest of Europe you are not obligated to leave 15% of tips lmao
My experience is that they give you bread and tap water by default for free
I find the American waitress absolutely nauseating as a European. Intrusive, nosy, fake friendly.
I guess that is one possibility. Of course on BIG difference is that the tip, by French LAW, has already been included in the price on the menu. Bet most people did not know that.
Yes, go early for lunch. The French dont eat at their desks and many workplaces don't have cafeterias, so restaurants are focused on feeding the workforce. No, getting tap water is never an issue and will often be offered as an option. Speaking a little French helps though.
I simply don’t recognise the French version, as a Brit I have visited many different parts of France and I often have mid week breaks in Paris. I live in the north it’s not that much more difficult or expensive to fly to Paris from Newcastle than to do the same for London. I have never had poor service from the French wait staff. I do recognise the US version, which although I know they are being nice I personally find to be a little over the top particularly given the fact that I have actually been told I have to leave because they need the table. I’m sorry but if you are going to do that tell me when I book a table that I have a set time frame to enjoy my meal, which incidentally was excellent. So, I think I will go for the French restaurant and be able to relax and take my time over the gushing service and being chivied into leaving.
It is not like they are friendly they are just begging for money, as soon as you finish they make you leave and pay the food and the staff. If you don't pay for the staff they look at you like it is your fault their system is shit.
Super dumb video and caricatural to the extreme, especially when comparing US (always good) and France (always bad). This girl also acts like a « pétasse », which she probably is.
In US, the waitress/waiter is super obnoxious and bore you to death with the litany of « specials of the day » that is so long that when she has finished, you have already forgotten most of the list. At every minute she/he comes and asks if everything is OK, interrupting whatever conversation you are in. When you have finished (or more likely, abandoned) your meal, she/he pops up with the bill. This level of rudeness happens in most restaurants, except the most posh (which are usually run by non-US chefs).
Food is also not very good in US, except in the aforementioned posh places. The menu generally offers too many options to be able to deliver quality (best restaurants have a narrow menu selection). It’s also pretentious with everything cooked or seasoned « to the perfection » (which almost never is). On top of this, it’s difficult to have enjoy the meal because everybody is yelling as if they had something interesting to say.
Also, to clarify, you’ll find rude waitresses/waiters in France mainly in tourist places, where no local would deign to go.
South France will not treat you like this !
Haha this is so accurate.
French waiters definitely need to learn some more manners however American waiters might just be nice to receive there 20% tip.
This is way off. The best meals and service I have had were in Europe…..they prepare food fresh not like the made ahead microwave junk you get in the USA. They are respectful no casual banter or false familiarity.
The big difference!!! 😂😂😂😂
The reason they act like this in France is because they all belong to a national union that allows 3 months off every year and guarenteed job security.
Now try asking for ice lol
Jeeeez so much unwanted chit chat in USA 😂
Omg that's so usians …
When I was in Paris The people could not have been nicer.
I feel insulted…😓
America now focus on TIPS TIPS TIPS only and god forbid you are halfway through you lunch and your tip hungry server want wants to leave as the shift is over – France its as though you have just walked in on their granny’s funeral and asked for directions to Azerbaijan
😂😂😂 on point
USA: Great waitress, low price, mediocre food at best – France: Mediocre staff, high price, absolutely gorgeous food. I dine out for the food, not the pleasantries. Not often these days though, prices have gotten beyond ridiculous. Better to cook at home in the first place.
My French BIL would agree with this.
French people don't like rude waiters (and people in general too); but what you consider rude is what we consider normal; and what you consider nice is what we consider "over the top abnoxiously cheerful please for the love of god tone it down"
On point 😂
Oh mon dieu! The stereotype is off the rails. I must say though that if my salary was based on the tips, I too would probably be all sugar and spice.
Birds can fly
"Oh! Uhm, ᵐᵉʳᶜʸ…" is such a funny detail 😭😭😭
The little glass at the end 😂😅