I generally feel more comfortable traveling somewhere I understand the language. Therefore, France is always a bit intimidating. Don't get me wrong -- I love it and would never skip an opportunity to go, but it does make me a bit unnerved walking into a restaurant. Especially because I'm vegetarian. The French love their steaks and their fish.
Vegetarians are ridiculous to them, well and probably to a lot of people. But, I am what I am.
Most of my restaurant interactions in Paris go something like this:
Waiter hands me the menu.
Me: Merci (Super convincing. Everybody now believes I am tres French.)
Waiter returns and (I assume) asks me what I would like to order.
Me: Parlez vous English?
Waiter now looks at me and cringes shaking their head, no.
Then as if I had merely asked if they preferred the color blue to purple and the answer had no impact on me whatsoever, I make a very Frenchy hand gesture and say: C'est buon!
Then I point to myself and say: Vegeterien.
They cringe again but at least this time they understand me. So then I point to something I think is vegetarian on the menu and say again, "Vegeterien?"
Sometimes, like at the Italian restaurant for dinner the waitress says Oui and I am good to go. Other times, like at the French brasserie today at lunch they say "No. Jamon." D'oh.
So instead they made me a plate of potatoes, peas and rice. And actually, it was pretty good.
Ca c'est ca! It is what it is.
Forget American in Paris try Vegetarian in Paris
Friday, October 10, 2014
Paris, Île-de-France, France
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Comments

2025-02-07
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A Jean
2014-10-10
Ahhh Paris .....C'est la vie! You are living the Good Life, Josie! And,
we're getting to be with you via your Blogs. Thank you!
Journey on, Girl