Would you really call the waiter, garçon?

TechnicianSun, 28 Sep 2008 17:25:37 -0500
Would you really call the waiter, garçon?

Because what you are really saying is "boy" and unless you are being served by an 10 year old male this sounds insulting.
AnonymousThu, 09 Oct 2008 23:48:45 -0500
Well i dont know much about this but i saw a french movie and infact they do call the waiter "garçon" but remember you can't translate phrases from a language to another a language has it's unique way of grammar and phrasing.
NathalieWed, 15 Oct 2008 23:19:20 -0500
Hi there,

calling a waiter "garçon" while snipping your finger is not considered very polite, however the waiter might not mind. I would recommend to ask the waiter himself if he wants to be called "garçon" or not. Younger waiters might be fine with it, however it pays to check. The most acceptable way of attracting a waiters attention would be to say "s’il vous plaît".

I hope that helps.
OneinamWed, 08 Jul 2009 06:33:31 -0500
Salut Everyone

In May I was at a cafe with a French girl and she told me to catch the attention of the waiter by saying 'garcon'. I couldn't say this word because I personally felt it was condescending. After a series of hand signals I simply started to attract his attention by saying 'monsieur' and he was delighted.
MichaelMarsaisSun, 10 Jan 2010 22:19:06 -0600
In several years holidaying and now living in France I have never heard a waiter referred to as 'garcon', people usually say monsieur (mademoiselle or madame for a waitress depending on age).
humanistMon, 19 Apr 2010 02:59:50 -0500
If waiter's age is a less than 18, you may call him "garçon, if moer than 18 then call him "Monsieur". For girls less than 18, call "Mademoiselle," woman, moe than 18, calle "Madame".
Marie-Claire RivièreThu, 06 May 2010 00:27:51 -0500
Salut à tous!

"Monsieur","Mademoiselle" or "Madame" are probably the most useful way to attract the attention of a waiter/waitress.

I hope this helps
shjomiWed, 12 May 2010 02:58:19 -0500
Not sure how correct this is, but I also listen to the podcast 'Coffee Break French' along with taking this course, and they have said that to call a waiter 'garçon' is actually quite insulting. They recommend 's'il vous plait'.
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