Article

2007-12-07 -Short Attention Span Theater-

Our hotel staff are surly, admit the French

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Posted by Fred 2007-12-07 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11125 views ] Top

#1 Not compared to Air France's cabin staff they're not.

Posted by Pancho Elmoluper5042 2007-12-07 08:35|| 2007-12-07 08:35|| Front Page Top

#2 Two problems. One solution. Give the Moroccan rage boys gift certificates to the bistros and restaurants for lunch/dinner. At least one of the problems should be sorted out in time.

Posted by Procopius2k 2007-12-07 08:43|| 2007-12-07 08:43|| Front Page Top

#3 "Having said that, France has a charm of its own, and we must not lose track of our traditions."

Surly waiters, rioting "yoots", military defeat, carbeques, strikes, hairy women, body odor...Vive la france!

Posted by tu3031 2007-12-07 10:27|| 2007-12-07 10:27|| Front Page Top

#4 Send the Germans back in. Third time's the charm...

Posted by Pappy 2007-12-07 11:24|| 2007-12-07 11:24|| Front Page Top

#5 I have begun to wonder if the cultural practice of tipping, as common in the US vs "lite tipping" common in the EU changes the interaction.
In the US the trend is for the server to be your buddy, and make sure that your $18 martini is reordered before the current one is even finished. In France, you more often than not are left alone and actually have to search the server out for a refill. "Surly and inattentive" or more respectful of your dining experience, I have not decided.
I actually have enjoyed the "take all the time you like" plan in France compared to the smiling kid with buttons on his suspenders bringing me my check automatically if I wave him off for the moment.
Sure, the French don't suffer perceived or legitimate rudeness well from any culture, but I am told they are just as surly to rude rude frenchman too.
I think French service is a bit of a sterotype that even I was guilty of before visiting France.
As far as French women... magnifique in all respects.
History Channel PS -They didn't bathe much in water becuase they thought it spread the plague...thus the perfume industry was created out of necessity...you can thank a rat for that.

Posted by Capsu78 2007-12-07 11:24|| 2007-12-07 11:24|| Front Page Top

#6 The most important part of this article is that the report takes the socialist route of blaming low wages imes below minimum wage) and poor training.

American wait staff and bartenders get paid below minimum and get no more training than is absolutely neccessary.

The French are right about having a problem, but they are clueless as to the reason.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-12-07 15:32|| 2007-12-07 15:32|| Front Page Top

#7 So are your cab driver, waiters, garbage men (sorry - "Engineers de Sanitation), college students, policemen, old ladies...

I could go on, but I'm getting depressed.

Posted by mojo">mojo 2007-12-07 17:13|| 2007-12-07 17:13|| Front Page Top

#8 The "plight of the underpaid" crosses many, many, many more occupations than food industry workers! I have been in long conversations with Europeans that the reason tipping isn't expected in Europe is because the positions are eligable for benefits, so the whole undercompensated arguement, particularly when compared to USA is apples and oranges.
I have had a German say "we view waiters as professional much like accountants and doctors. Would you leave a tip for them?"
I think it is just random whining because they don't make enough money to live in expensive cities like Paris. My Doctor says the same thing.

Posted by Capsu78 2007-12-07 17:17|| 2007-12-07 17:17|| Front Page Top

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