In Germany, I discovered while living there, you cannot get water at your table in a restaurant unless you pay for it. Das geht nicht!
This was a constant irritation for someone who grew up in the South, where a large pitcher of ice tea comes around for free refills after your first glass, and a big tumbler of ice water is the first thing any waiter brings you.
I spent my first couple of years in France just ordering mineral water, out of fear. It took me a while to figure out that you can always get tap water. Just ask for "une carafe d'eau."
This morning, I went to the cafe around the corner from here with an old American acquaintance from college who is in town. We both ordered the ridiculously expensive breakfast of bread, freshly squeezed orange juice, croissants and coffee, because I actually eat breakfast every day and feel cranky if I can't get it. My friend ordered in French, to my surprise.
"Et un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît," I added to the waiter.
"Quoi, un Bordeaux?" asked the waiter, looking surprised. "À cette heure du matin?" [At this time of the morning?]
The waiter knows me perfectly well, but my friend didn't know that, and gave me a funny look-- Was he being rude?
He came back with the carafe and put two wine glasses on the table, then with a straight face held out the carafe out to us with both hands for inspection, as if it were a wine bottle. I nodded approval, and he poured the water formally into both glasses.
It's little things like this that make me love France.
And the French carafes are so beautiful and varied as are the bistro glasses you can't find in any department store..only a restaurant supply shop.
So much to miss...
Posted by: ParisBreakfasts | 01 February 2007 at 15:03