French 1 On va au café Eating in Paris!

Players Le serveur La serveuse

Players Maître d’(hôtel) The person that seats you

Seating – Prendre une place When you enter a typical Parisian restaurant you are met at the door by the maitre d' who will escort you to your private and comfortable table. That is, if you're the Pope. The rest of us have to wait at the door and try to figure out if it's "seat yourself" or "wait to be seated". If you seat yourself when you're not supposed to, you'll anger your server. He'll move you to a table that's so close to the restroom that people will use your tablecloth to dry their hands -- if you're lucky. On the other hand, if you wait for a server to seat you and it's "seat yourself", he'll gesture angrily at the empty tables implying "What, none of these were good enough for you, cretin?!"

The Truth At most cafés in France, you just seat yourself, especially if it is « sur la terrasse » or « au bar ». If you wish to be seated inside (à l’intérieur) then just ask someone for a table. In fine restaurants, a maître d’ will seat you.

Les Deux Magots

Le café de la paix

Le café de la mairie

Le Café Saint-Séverin

Culture Note: Eating on the terrasse is preferred so that you can get fresh air, and people watch. Also, most cafés are not climatisés (air-conditioned). It is more expensive though. Pets are allowed in most restaurants in France. It is not uncommon to be seated next to a poodle (un caniche).

How to order To order: Je voudraisI would like J’aimeraisI would like Je prendsI’ll take Donnez-moi… Give me… Apportez-moi… Bring me…

How to pay To pay: C’est combien?How much is it? Ça coûte combien?How much does it cost? Quel est le prix?What is the price?

Culture Note: Le pourboire (a tip) is almost always included in the price of your meal. Check the menu, it should say: « Le service est compris ». If it is you are covered. If not, you can ask: « Est-ce que le service est compris »? Just be sure to check the menu beforehand to avoid an embarrassing moment.

La nourriture Oh là là, j’ai faim! Un sandwich au jambon et au fromage Un hamburger Des frites Un coca Un hot-dog Un steak

Les boissons J’ai vraiment soif Un coca Un soda Un café Un jus d’orange Un citron pressé Une eau minérale Une eau Un chocolat Un lait

Le verbe prendre Irregular verb Je prendsNous prenons Tu prendsVous prenez Il/Elle prendIls/Elles prennent

Practice Ordering: Qu’est-ce que vous voulez comme boisson? Je voudrais…

Now Practice Paying: Voilà l’addition monsieur/madame! C’est combien? Ça côute….euros.