since the pandemic, tipping in the U.S. is now everywhere...if I buy a loaf of bread a window pops up for a tip showing percentages. I think the hardware store is just about the only place without a tipping option. It used to be that tips were for service, now it's to subsidize poor wages. My $8 boule ends up being $10. Unless our entire society changes and workers get actual living wages, I'll continue tipping.
I have been mulling over the “moving back to the US” question. I have lived here in a small village in France for a long time and yes, everything is not perfect BUT the not learning French is such a mistake. How one functions in a culture is first and foremost how one communicates. My late husband’s French was “sketchy “ at first but he learned to be part of a community by speaking to everyone. Initially it was exhausting and I became his translator until friends told me to stop and let him stumble. He also learned to say “je ne compends pas”.
I giggled a little because I absolutely spent 20 bucks on a crabby Jambon Brie at LAX from Mr. Marcel recently and thought man... I really wish this was a real Jambon Beurre.
My favorite sandwich is a Jambon beurre . What type of ham do you like on yours? Here in Texas I generally use Jambon de Paris but maybe there is a better choice.
I cannot tell you, David, how much I enjoy reading your description of life in France. You seem so down to earth that I often wish I could just meet you . Thank you for writing an honest report of life in France.
I am happy to see that you gave a shout out to Pari Local, my favorite of the small produce vendors in our Faidherbe-Chaligny Village, but I was wondering if you've checked out La Main Verte. I have been very happy with the quality of the produce and the prices, especially at the Reuilly-Diderot store. Shopping there makes for a stress-free and altogether delightful experience.
In organizing my 150 or more cookbooks accumulated over 6 decades, I came across two cookbooks from the Moosewood Restaurant in upstate New York. I believe you may have worked there when you were in college. If that is correct, or if you are interested in having them, Let me know, and I would be happy to donate them to your collection. (I met you when you gave a book talk at RJ Julia bookstore in Madison, Ct, and I went with a group you led eating our way around Paris some years ago.)
I just spied the maple sugar candy in the photo. Such a guilty pleasure! So good. I hoard them and dole them out sparingly. Caught my husband sneaking a few! Words were said. They are just a sinful melt of pure sugar!
As a fairly fluent French speaker with my first full year of long stay residency, the system can be maddening. But I’ve had some frustrating bureaucratic encounters in the states too. It can happen anywhere. But when you « fall » on the right person, it’s a dream!
We have many French friends we were lucky to make when we first came 20 years ago, but finding new ones is, indeed, difficult!
We were asked for a tip in Rome on our layover back to france from Senegal, and I was astonished. I really hope that France does not go this way. I appreciate the French system of waitering being a respected career that is fairly compensated without my needing to tip extra.
We were in Paris in September and were really surprised when the POS machine "suggested" a tip. It didn't happen in the other French towns we visited, only Paris. We politely declined ...
Twice on our recent trip through Europe, we had waiters request tips, both times in France, IIRC. I know one was in Marseille. We were so taken aback that we did, although each time it was no more than five percent. And I suppose there could have been a language barrier; maybe they were trying to say that we could leave a tip if we wanted.
I think it's illegal to tell people that the tip isn't included in France. (But not 100% sure.) I've heard very infrequent reports of that happening in Paris, like maybe once or twice over 20+ years, but it's always included.
I did bring a group when I was giving tours to a well-known restaurant in France, and I always tipped the staff generously since they were always super helpful, but once the maitre'd came up to me after I was handed the check and he said, "In France, it's normal to leave a tip." He would (definitely) not have said that to a native French person...at all. I ended up slyly giving the server the tip so the host didn't see it, but I never went back.
Sorry to hear about your friend’s passing. Your Drinking French kept my husband and I sane the last time TFG was in the WH. I was hoping your new book would be out so I could wallow my sorrows in your recipes. I’m sure even more drinking will be in order…but it would be good to have some balance between alcohol and good food. We are lucky to have a nice farmer’s market in Vista and although I miss my old one in NorCal, this one is better than buying overpriced produce at Von’s (which I never shop at). Enjoy your oyster eating escapade-I was able to travel to Rhode Island for my 60th in November and enjoyed many a local oyster at Matunuck Oyster Bar (the best!). Also picked up some local corn meal for Johnny Cakes.
I had to google rutabagas… it’s swede…. who knew!!! Mum always made mashed swede which I hated. Now I’m happy if it’s diced in soups.
Ah snow! I’d love to walk in snow again. You’d wake in the morning and just know it was white outside… so quiet as you say. I now live subtropical and I have to say a bit of snow now would be extremely welcome instead of the intense thunderstorms and rain and humidity we have.
Funnily we had lunch in an Italian restaurant yesterday and when I paid he told me to read the screen and select. As you say options for 20% down to no thank you. I’m not sure how well it will go down in Brisbane as we don’t tip or very rarely if everything has exceeded expectations. I gave them the lowest option as they had just squeezed an outdoor restaurant into the inside restaurant due to one of those thunderstorms which dumped 50ml of rain in just half an hour. Everyone looked wet and frazzled… but the food was super. I just didn’t like having to choose.
I hope you have a great holiday season with a glass of wine.. or bottle of your preferred tipple and a good book. I have so enjoyed your newsletter and always make a cuppa or pour a glass to have while I’m reading.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Forest. I learned about her from your interactions with her that you shared with us and she was passionate about her subject matter. My condolences.
since the pandemic, tipping in the U.S. is now everywhere...if I buy a loaf of bread a window pops up for a tip showing percentages. I think the hardware store is just about the only place without a tipping option. It used to be that tips were for service, now it's to subsidize poor wages. My $8 boule ends up being $10. Unless our entire society changes and workers get actual living wages, I'll continue tipping.
I have been mulling over the “moving back to the US” question. I have lived here in a small village in France for a long time and yes, everything is not perfect BUT the not learning French is such a mistake. How one functions in a culture is first and foremost how one communicates. My late husband’s French was “sketchy “ at first but he learned to be part of a community by speaking to everyone. Initially it was exhausting and I became his translator until friends told me to stop and let him stumble. He also learned to say “je ne compends pas”.
I giggled a little because I absolutely spent 20 bucks on a crabby Jambon Brie at LAX from Mr. Marcel recently and thought man... I really wish this was a real Jambon Beurre.
I noticed a few days ago that French Bastards, at least the one in deuxième, stopped selling baguettes. What a horrible decision.
My favorite sandwich is a Jambon beurre . What type of ham do you like on yours? Here in Texas I generally use Jambon de Paris but maybe there is a better choice.
I cannot tell you, David, how much I enjoy reading your description of life in France. You seem so down to earth that I often wish I could just meet you . Thank you for writing an honest report of life in France.
I am happy to see that you gave a shout out to Pari Local, my favorite of the small produce vendors in our Faidherbe-Chaligny Village, but I was wondering if you've checked out La Main Verte. I have been very happy with the quality of the produce and the prices, especially at the Reuilly-Diderot store. Shopping there makes for a stress-free and altogether delightful experience.
I've been there a few times (they opened one on Ledru-Rollin, too). We're fortunate to have so many good places to buy produce in the 11th!
In organizing my 150 or more cookbooks accumulated over 6 decades, I came across two cookbooks from the Moosewood Restaurant in upstate New York. I believe you may have worked there when you were in college. If that is correct, or if you are interested in having them, Let me know, and I would be happy to donate them to your collection. (I met you when you gave a book talk at RJ Julia bookstore in Madison, Ct, and I went with a group you led eating our way around Paris some years ago.)
I didn't work at Moosewood..but thanks for thinking of me.
I just spied the maple sugar candy in the photo. Such a guilty pleasure! So good. I hoard them and dole them out sparingly. Caught my husband sneaking a few! Words were said. They are just a sinful melt of pure sugar!
As a fairly fluent French speaker with my first full year of long stay residency, the system can be maddening. But I’ve had some frustrating bureaucratic encounters in the states too. It can happen anywhere. But when you « fall » on the right person, it’s a dream!
We have many French friends we were lucky to make when we first came 20 years ago, but finding new ones is, indeed, difficult!
We were asked for a tip in Rome on our layover back to france from Senegal, and I was astonished. I really hope that France does not go this way. I appreciate the French system of waitering being a respected career that is fairly compensated without my needing to tip extra.
We were in Paris in September and were really surprised when the POS machine "suggested" a tip. It didn't happen in the other French towns we visited, only Paris. We politely declined ...
Twice on our recent trip through Europe, we had waiters request tips, both times in France, IIRC. I know one was in Marseille. We were so taken aback that we did, although each time it was no more than five percent. And I suppose there could have been a language barrier; maybe they were trying to say that we could leave a tip if we wanted.
I think it's illegal to tell people that the tip isn't included in France. (But not 100% sure.) I've heard very infrequent reports of that happening in Paris, like maybe once or twice over 20+ years, but it's always included.
I did bring a group when I was giving tours to a well-known restaurant in France, and I always tipped the staff generously since they were always super helpful, but once the maitre'd came up to me after I was handed the check and he said, "In France, it's normal to leave a tip." He would (definitely) not have said that to a native French person...at all. I ended up slyly giving the server the tip so the host didn't see it, but I never went back.
He didn't say that the tip wasn't included, just asked for one.
Sorry to hear about your friend’s passing. Your Drinking French kept my husband and I sane the last time TFG was in the WH. I was hoping your new book would be out so I could wallow my sorrows in your recipes. I’m sure even more drinking will be in order…but it would be good to have some balance between alcohol and good food. We are lucky to have a nice farmer’s market in Vista and although I miss my old one in NorCal, this one is better than buying overpriced produce at Von’s (which I never shop at). Enjoy your oyster eating escapade-I was able to travel to Rhode Island for my 60th in November and enjoyed many a local oyster at Matunuck Oyster Bar (the best!). Also picked up some local corn meal for Johnny Cakes.
I had to google rutabagas… it’s swede…. who knew!!! Mum always made mashed swede which I hated. Now I’m happy if it’s diced in soups.
Ah snow! I’d love to walk in snow again. You’d wake in the morning and just know it was white outside… so quiet as you say. I now live subtropical and I have to say a bit of snow now would be extremely welcome instead of the intense thunderstorms and rain and humidity we have.
Funnily we had lunch in an Italian restaurant yesterday and when I paid he told me to read the screen and select. As you say options for 20% down to no thank you. I’m not sure how well it will go down in Brisbane as we don’t tip or very rarely if everything has exceeded expectations. I gave them the lowest option as they had just squeezed an outdoor restaurant into the inside restaurant due to one of those thunderstorms which dumped 50ml of rain in just half an hour. Everyone looked wet and frazzled… but the food was super. I just didn’t like having to choose.
I hope you have a great holiday season with a glass of wine.. or bottle of your preferred tipple and a good book. I have so enjoyed your newsletter and always make a cuppa or pour a glass to have while I’m reading.
Thank you again and Merry Christmas. 💐
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Forest. I learned about her from your interactions with her that you shared with us and she was passionate about her subject matter. My condolences.
Another option for those who need some help falling asleep:
https://www.sleepbaseball.com/
It's fake baseball radio broadcasts. We live in a glorious age.