It's common knowledge that the French are gourmets and aesthetes. That's why it's absolutely impossible to go even to the baker's in trunks and slippers or chew your morning roll in a subway. Unless you want to be looked at with disapproval of course.

So if you want to live in Paris you'd better get used to be always smartly dressed. Besides that would be nice if you try and learn at least several words in French to talk to the owner of the boulangerie. Even the weakest attempts to speak French will certainly be appreciated! Let me give you some pieces of advice that will make your life in Paris easier.

Drinks

Nobody makes you order bottled water you'll have to pay for. When in France, do as the French do - order "carafe d'eau" (decanter of water). If you buy a water in a bottle, specify which water you prefer: "gazeuse" (sparkling) or "plat"(still).

Wine served in a decanter is of a high quality and is rather inexpensive in comparison with the bottled wine. If you can't decide which wine to choose, order Côte du Rhône, a good red wine favoured by many connoisseurs.

Tips

Tips are always included in a total sum. Anyway you can additionally leave some money to the waiter if you liked the way you were served, but that's not necessarily. In a good restaurant it's normal if you leave 5% of the total.

Meat Dishes

Ordering meat with blood, or bleu bear in mind that it's almost raw meat, which can hardly be called cooked. By the way, that's one of the most favourite with the French people dishes. Saignante is roasted meat with blood. A point stands for the middle-roasted beef, and bien cuit is well-fried meat.

Waiters

Don't think that the waiters are rude and ill-bred because they didn't introduce themselves and rushed to refill your jug after you've made the first sip of water. As a rule, there are just a couple of waiters in the restaurant, and they are really very busy.

Take it for granted that the process of eating is a ritual, so don't hurry, relax and enjoy your meal. After you've had your dinner ask to bring l'addition. But ask it only when you will really be leaving the restaurant as it is considered impolite to hand it in to you before you really leave.
Courtesy

Don't forget to greet the owner of the shop when entering the building. Say Bonjour "Madame/Monsieur". Leaving the shop bid farewell - "Merci Madame/Monsieur".

Coffee

If you order coffee you will be served a small cup (excluding the morning hours when the French are having breakfast). If you want coffee with milk ask café crème; if you order café au lait (coffee with milk) you will be looked at with surprise as this is coffee served in a big cup and it is usually drunk at home. Espresso is café noisette in French.

Following these simple rules you'll find the life in France much easier!