French Table & Hosting Etiquette - Cultural Guide

A must for travelers to France

• Exclusive tips on table etiquette from a true Parisian
• Learn common expressions for giving compliments /making remarks about food, as well as essential table- related vocabulary
• "Repeat after me" sentences ensure perfect pronunciation, and create reflexes
• Includes a section on what is really polite / what is really rude section
• A thorough lesson that will boost your confidence in restaurants and around French people

Feel confident at any French table or French restaurant

What is considered polite and what is rude? How should you dress when you go to a restaurant in France? What should you bring to your host if invited to a French home? Although French table manners are Continental, there are many subtle traditions that you need to know in order to feel comfortable around French people.

Learn to gracefully comment about food

Students of French often know basic food vocabulary, but few know how to gracefully comment about food, or politely refuse a second serving, or signal to the waiter that they don't want any more wine. Words and gestures are subtle: you can't just wing it... This thorough cultural guide (check the table of contents!) will tell you exactly what to expect, and guarantees that you will rise to the occasion.

Table of Content for "French Table & Hosting Etiquette"

French Table Etiquette

1. Level of formality
2. Sitting at and leaving the table
3. Passing the food around
4. What if you don't like it?
5. Wine and spirits
6. Bread
7. Plates, silverware and glasses
8. Salt and pepper
9. Hands and general good manners
10. Comments on the food
11. What is really impolite at a French table is...
12. What's very polite (on top of all that's above :-)
13. Lexique

French Hosting Etiquette

1. Cultural differences: house, food,dress code and formality
   1. Cooking is in our genes
   2. The checklist
   3. An anecdote
2. What should you bring?
3. Unraveling of the evening
4. Smoking at the table
5. Should you offer to help?
6. When should you leave?