Forget American in Paris try Vegetarian in Paris

Friday, October 10, 2014
Paris, Île-de-France, France
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.

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Comments

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

2025-02-07

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