Salut!
I’ve been meaning to write this blog post for a while, but I wanted to wait until I had ample time to sample all that I could of French cuisine. Now that I’ve had some time, I’m excited to talk about all that I’ve experienced of food in France!
The main things that I had heard about French eating culture before coming here were essentially “baguette, cheese, escargot, and frog legs.” I went in with an open mind about what I would encounter, and I’m glad I did! Bread and cheese are certainly ubiquitous here; with both my host families, I’ve had bread available every breakfast and dinner, as well as a wealth of cheese options after the main course of dinner. I’ve had so much cheese that I’ve been able to develop a favorite in Camembert cheese. Escargot (snails) and frog legs are not very common, though, from what I’ve seen and heard. The people I talked to generally had strong opinions—either love or hate—for these two dishes, but they often said that they had not had either frequently. I was able to try both, but I had to deliberately seek out places that had them. Most of the restaurants I visited without prior planning didn’t have either.
Another aspect of French eating culture I thought was interesting was the different pacing of the meals. Restaurants here have been a completely different experience for me than they are in the United States. For one, they have almost always been served as a multiple-course meal, with a free appetizer of pretzels, bread, or other snack-like food before the main course. Another difference is the time it takes. In the U.S., I’m used to waiters coming by almost as soon as you’re done eating to clean off the table and give you the check. French restaurants allow you to take your time, though, before giving you the bill, which I truly appreciate! You can take in the ambience and talk more with your friends without the pressure of having to leave soon after eating. I once had a meal where we talked for over an hour after eating before we got the check. People enjoy savoring the small moments and taking their time, which I think is a nice change of pace after all the hustle and bustle. I also have enjoyed the “du jour” system, where many of the food offerings, especially for lunch, change day by day. I’ve gotten to have some truly incredible meals!
There’s one last thing I’d like to address. One of the most common things people told me when I mentioned I was going to France was that people, especially waiters, are rude to you if you don’t speak perfect French. This was not my experience in the slightest. Almost every restaurant I’ve been to has had incredibly nice waters and waitresses, who are patient with me if I don’t understand their question the first time. I’ve had some who have immediately switched to English after hearing my accent because they wanted to practice their English skills, as well. From my experience and from what I’ve heard in talking with these people, they simply appreciate it if you make an effort, even if your French isn’t perfect.
That’s all from me this time! I’ve attached some pictures of my favorite foods I’ve had below.
