Comments on: A case of wine and a garland of onions http://www.twiku.com/2007/06/25/a-case-of-wine-and-a-garland-of-onions/ From a day, to a lifetime - A personal view from a Mediterranean village in France Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:32:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Tony http://www.twiku.com/2007/06/25/a-case-of-wine-and-a-garland-of-onions/#comment-219 Tony Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:56:07 +0000 http://www.twiku.com/2007/06/25/a-case-of-wine-and-a-garland-of-onions/#comment-219 Hi Maria, A very important question - times for lunch, drinks and dinner are set with the precision of an atomic clock. The best time to drive or shop in the supermarket is between 12:00 and 2:00pm - for an eving drink you are expected to arrive at 6:30 pm, no late that 7:00pm or the host may thing you are scrounging supper which will be at 8:00pm The key thing to remember is that French tummies are designed to start working for the supper shift at 8:00pm so if you are invited for drinks you must definately say thank you and be out of the door and away at 7:59pm. You should not be able to get tipsy in the allocated time, but with practice you should be able to manage it. Eventually your metabolism will adapt to French eating schedules so after a few pastis before supper you should be OK - I assume you are having a proper French lunch, this is the key meal of the day and usually avoids starvation before the evening snack. Enjoy Tony Hi Maria,

A very important question - times for lunch, drinks and dinner are set with the precision of an atomic clock.

The best time to drive or shop in the supermarket is between 12:00 and 2:00pm - for an eving drink you are expected to arrive at 6:30 pm, no late that 7:00pm or the host may thing you are scrounging supper which will be at 8:00pm

The key thing to remember is that French tummies are designed to start working for the supper shift at 8:00pm so if you are invited for drinks you must definately say thank you and be out of the door and away at 7:59pm.

You should not be able to get tipsy in the allocated time, but with practice you should be able to manage it.

Eventually your metabolism will adapt to French eating schedules so after a few pastis before supper you should be OK - I assume you are having a proper French lunch, this is the key meal of the day and usually avoids starvation before the evening snack.

Enjoy

Tony

]]> By: Maria Howard http://www.twiku.com/2007/06/25/a-case-of-wine-and-a-garland-of-onions/#comment-218 Maria Howard Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:27:38 +0000 http://www.twiku.com/2007/06/25/a-case-of-wine-and-a-garland-of-onions/#comment-218 Having moved out here 2 months ago, we are attempting to live the French life however we cannot cope with aperos and amuse guelles in evening with friends and neighbours. We are a) tipsy and b) starving when we get home. Any tips? How long is it polite to stay for drinks? Having moved out here 2 months ago, we are attempting to live the French life however we cannot cope with aperos and amuse guelles in evening with friends and neighbours. We are a) tipsy and b) starving when we get home. Any tips? How long is it polite to stay for drinks?

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