Just the other day, one of my Parisian friends asked me "What is it you love about Paris?" Of course, that's one of those rhetorical questions ... except that this time, I had to give a concrete answer. So, I started thinking about what it was that initially won me over when I came to this remarkable city for the first time, when it hit me ... cafés!
For me, one of the ultimate pleasures is to plant myself in one of these Parisian institutions, alone or with friends, with or without a good book. I consider people watching to be a sport, and in fact, you'll often see friends at a café sitting next to each other, so that both have a good view. Another plus, no good waiter will rush you out of a café.
Tipping: Regardless of what the waiter says, tips are by law always included in the bill. That said, it's custom to always leave a little something extra for your server to “have a drink on you” (= un pour boire). While not a hard and fast rule, 5% is a good standard.
Helpful hint: If you order a coffee in France, you will get an espresso, black. For an espresso with a drop of cream, order a café noisette. For a coffee that most resembles American coffee, order a café crème or a café au lait.
