FRENCH ETIQUETTE, HOW TO EAT THESE COMPLICATED DISHES - PART 1

There are several differences between French table manners and American etiquette. In France, table manners are fundamental in all public dining situations. And any essential skill must be based on a solid foundation of knowledge. For the French, eating is more than just consuming calories; it's an art de vivre, an element of partimoine culture. There's a proper technique for eating everything from foie gras to salad...

1. Foie gras

Cutlery: small knife, small fork.

Slice your foie gras with a fork and place a bite on a small piece of toast. You can also use your knife (the blades are now made of stainless steel), but the fork is more elegant.

2. Smoked salmon

Cutlery: Fish cutlery.

- With toast

Butter a small piece of toast. Pour a few drops of lemon juice over the salmon on your plate. Cut off a piece with your fish knife. Bring the salmon to your mouth with the fork and eat the buttered bread with it.

- With blinis

Eat in the same way as caviar with blinis.

3. Shellfish

Cutlery: oyster fork.

Take the small fork to the left of the forks. Use this handy fork to loosen all the flesh from the shell and swallow. You can drink the seawater, but gently and quietly. A finger bowl is required for this dish.

4. Salad

Cutlery: a fork (only).

Never cut the salad with a knife. Use your fork and a piece of bread to carefully fold the leaves before bringing them to your mouth. In a good house, the leaves should never be too large to be eaten without difficulty.

5. The cheese

Cutlery: small knife.

Never touch the cheese with your fingers. You must use a piece of bred to hold your cheese and remove the rind with your knife. Never use your fork, even if you're given one, except for Gruyère, if you eat it without bread.

6. Soups, consommés, bisques, fish soups

Cutlery: soup or dessert spoon.

Use the spoon to the right of your knife. Bring it slowly to your mouth and drink from the tip of the spoon. In Great Britain, soups are eaten from the side of the spoon. Never drink from the bowl. Above all, never lift the dish if the soup is poured into a soup bowl.

Photo : istock

Catherine - Lifestyle

Bonjour, my name is Catherine. I live in the heart of Paris. I’ve always loved to travel and, over the years, I developed it into a real art: the right addresses, the suitcase, how to manage fatigue with my Parisian look! From Cannes to Antigua, from the red carpet to Pilates, I have to live up to the reputation. I have small apartments in Paris that I rent out. I love to personally welcome my guests and give them some recommendations about life in Paris “living like a true Parisian and not like a simple tourist in an elegant private suit in the heart of the city”.