Dear ladies, gentlemen and children, all food lovers! You like to go to restaurant?Let’s see what should you do / expect differently once in a Chinese or French one!
1. How to get waiter’s attention?
China
Most of the time is accepted that you speak out: ‘Fu wu yuan’ and wave at him/her.
France
Eye contact or raising a hand at head level will be enough.
2. Who is ordering the food?
China
Usually, the host will pass the menu to all guests (especially the most important guests) and ask guests to order. If all guests stay humble and don’t want to start to order，the host will take the lead and order for all dinner participants. Then they will share the food.
France
Each person orders for himself, even if there is a host inviting everyone. In case of a couple, the man can first place lady’s order and then his.
3. How many times to order food?
China
The number of dishes for one table is 2 or 3 dishes more or at least the same as guests’ number for the table. If the host thinks it is not enough for the guests, he/she could add extra courses anytime during the whole dinning.
France
It’s expected that you place food order at most 2 times:
No.1: Order all desired courses, dessert is optional.
No.2: Order a dessert if you skipped it the first time.
If dinner participants take different type of courses the waiter will ask them how they’ll like to have their dishes coming:
Order:
Person 1: appetizer + main course
Person 2: main course+ dessert
Unlike in China, in France soup comes first, before the main dish.
4. Food service
China
Dishes will come out as they are made in the kitchen. Same with eating, people can start eating almost as soon as the first dish is served. With everyone on his/her seat, participants will start to eat when the most important people start.
France
Food will come in eating order: appetizer, main course, dessert. For each, participants will wait for everyone to be served before starting to eat.
5. Checking the food
China
At the end of a meal, the host will ask the participants: ‘Was everything okay?’ The waiter will also ask sometimes if people are satisfied with the food.
France
As soon you try the food, the waiter will come to check, then you can complain if something is wrong with the food right away.
6. Table condiments
China
Each table will have some or all of the following: soy sauce, vinegar, chili sauce.
France
Here we’ll have salt and pepper always, can be asked for mustard. Ketchup for kids ONLY, otherwise it sounds vulgar.
7. If the dish is late, what to do?
China
Complain to the waiter first time politely, second time you can show your dissatisfaction.
France
Food service may be slower than in China. Only from 30min of waiting time you can complain. If after 45min you are still waiting it, you may leave or wait longer.
8. Table bussing
China
There are 2 options, waiters will pick up the plate as soon as you finish your dish or the plate won’t be even collected ‘till you leave the table.
France
The waiter will wait for all dinner participants to finish the dish and then collect all the plates.
9. Paying the bill
China
As politeness, dinner participants are very likely going to have an argument on who will cover the bill, after a while they’ll have the lucky person. Tips are not common, mostly present in fine dining restaurants as a service fee.
France
The bill is often split in equal shares among participants. There is rarely someone treating the whole table. You may leave tips, but often small amounts (it’s not like in the US).
10. “Le Gourmet Bag”
China
It’s accepted that you ask for take away box if you didn’t finish your food. Waiters will bring you bags or boxes, it is either you pack the leftovers yourself, or in some restaurant they will pack for you.
France
Recently the government is supporting to take away the leftovers due to huge food waste. Here the waiter will pack the food for you.
Dear all, of course, the common thing for both countries is that the waiter is the happiest at the end of the shift! Did you notice any other difference? Share with us!
